Six Flags’ rapid overseas expansion is ramping up with plans to build a new waterpark next to China’s first ever theme park operating under the brand’s banner.

Sitting adjacent to Haiyan’s under-development Six Flags Zhejang, the waterpark will open at the same time as the theme park, with Six Flags Hurricane Harbor including waterslides, a wave pool, a lazy river and a water play area for kids.

The theme park and now waterpark are at the heart of a US$4.6bn (€4.4bn, £3.7bn) resort development in Hangzhou Bay, with Chinese real estate development firm Riverside Investment Group (RIG) behind the plans.

RIG – which currently has more than US$3.5bn (€3.2bn, £2.5bn) in assets under management – is partnering with Six Flags on the mixed-use development, which is expected to create more than 100,000 jobs.

Six Flags CEO John Duffey recently revealed to Attractions Management plans to build “multiple” Six Flags parks in China in the next 10 years, all in partnership with RIG.

A franchise model has been set up to support the upcoming parks, with confirmed plans for two in Vietnam, while further Asian expansion could well be on the way, with plans rumoured in April last year for the operator to enter the Malaysian market. Coupled with those rumours, there has long been speculation that there could be a Six Flags addition to Iskandar’s land around Singapore, but neither the park nor the developer have confirmed this.

In the Middle East, Six Flags has also confirmed plans to bring its first branded theme park to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia and recently broke ground on Six Flags Dubai – the latest addition to the multi-billion dollar Dubai Parks and Resorts development which celebrated its official opening last week.