US-based hotel giant MGM Resorts International is to develop and manage a Bellagio-branded hotel in Shanghai, China, as part of a strategic partnership which will see MGM operate a number of properties in the country.

MGM announced that it had secured the deal through its Chinese joint venture, Diaoyutai MGM Hospitality Limited, which has entered into an agreement with Suning Real Estate Group, a subsidiary of Suning Group.

The 200-bedroom Suning Bellagio Shanghai Bund will be owned by Suning and managed by Diaoyutai MGM - a joint venture between MGM and Diaoyutai State Guest House, which focuses on the development and management of hospitality assets in China.

The hotel will feature a luxury spa, 'world-class retail' and entertainment amenities and is expected to be completed in 2015.

MGM Resorts Chairman and CEO Jim Murren said, "This strategic partnership with Suning further extends our reach into China, one of the fastest growing hospitality markets in the world.

"Along with our Diaoyutai JV partners, we believe relationships like this with Suning create new opportunities to expand our brand reach into this strategically vital marketplace."

Suning Real Estate, a subsidiary of Suning Group, is a large real estate development group, specialising in the development of high-end mixed-use projects.

It is currently planning and developing more than eighty Suning Plaza or Suning Appliance Plaza series mixed-use projects - including 100 high-end hotels - by 2020.

The announcement comes as MHM reported that it is anticipating further growth this year as a result of continued expansion into key global markets such as Asia - with MGM China reporting record annual results.