Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2000/08/04/chinese_govt_backs_mp3_site/

Chinese Govt backs MP3 site

Rock on Beijing

By Tim Richardson

Posted in Legal, 4th August 2000 14:26 GMT

The Chinese Government is just weeks away from unveiling its own MP3 music site.

ListenToChina.com is designed to promote and develop Chinese music and if it proves successful, it could create a completely new, financially sustainable music distribution platform for the nation's artist.

All the artists featured on the site have to be vetted and approved by Beijing.

As well as containing traditional ceremonial and folk music, the site also has "modern pop" and "techno".

But to be honest, if Nowhere to Hide is characteristic of the rock music coming out China this site may well be worth a visit, that is, if banging your head to Whitesnake soundalikes is your kinda thing.

Just a handful of the 1.2 billion people who live in China have Net access although more and more "cybercafes" are springing up in the larger cities.

It's estimated that there are more than 21 million Chinese speaking Internet users outside China.

For a sneak peak at ListenToChina.com before its official launch in the next two to four weeks, go here. ®

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