Foreign companies in China get a new partner: The Communist Party

Newly assertive party members arrange lectures, proudly display hammer-and-sickle insignia at their desks and are praised as exemplary workers

The 300 or so Communist Party members who work at Walt Disney Co’s theme park in China don’t keep their politics to themselves.

Many attend party lectures during business hours and display hammer-and-sickle insignia at their desks. Company newsletters and state media praise them as exemplary workers. Party officials help manage staff welfare and arrange activities such as political seminars for members and singing contests for all employees.

In June, Shanghai’s flagship party newspaper quoted Murray King, the resort’s Canadian vice president for public affairs, as saying its best employees are mostly party members. According to a Disney spokeswoman, Mr