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Donald Trump met with the CEO of TikTok at his Florida estate, as the social media company is fighting a potential ban in the U.S.
On Monday (Dec. 16), President-elect Donald Trump met with Shou Zi Chew, the CEO of TikTok, at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. The sit-down comes weeks before the social media company is set to undergo a potential ban in the United States. TikTok made an emergency request before the Supreme Court to block a law that would require the company’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, to sell it off before Jan. 19, 2025. The law was signed by President Joe Biden earlier this year. “The Act will shutter one of America’s most popular speech platforms the day before a presidential inauguration,” TikTok’s lawyers said in the filing. “This, in turn, will silence the speech of Applicants and the many Americans who use the platform to communicate about politics, commerce, arts, and other matters of public concern.”
The emergency application asked for a decision to be made by Jan. 6. Their reasoning for this was so that they could “coordinate with their service providers to perform the complex task of shutting down the TikTok platform only in the United States” if the justices decide to let the ban proceed. A 90-day extension could be enacted if the company is to be sold, but the Chinese government has protested the sale of the algorithm that powers the social media app, and TikTok says that such a sale is impracticable.
Trump previously supported a ban on TikTok but in a press conference later that day, he said that his incoming administration would review the situation. “We’ll take a look at TikTok,” he said. “I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok, because I won youth by 34 points. There are those that say that TikTok has something to do with that. TikTok had an impact.” Trump’s former solicitor general, Noel Francisco, has represented TikTok in court. Trump joined the platform in June, gaining millions of followers. But his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, did capture the majority of 18-to-29-year-olds who voted in the 2024 presidential election.
In the world of electronic dance music, the West has long led the way with its frequent collaborations, driving technical advancements and making electronic music culture popular worldwide. Inspired by Western electronic music culture, ZHANGYE, in collaboration with Cyanhill Music, has created the CHINA EDM Vol.1 compilation, marking a new chapter in Chinese electronic dance music.
This compilation features not only exclusive tracks from top producers such as BEAUZ, CORSAK, Panta.Q, and WILLIM, but also selects other tracks from hundreds of contributors, showcasing the diversity and vitality of Chinese electronic music.
The release of the CHINA EDM Vol.1 compilation is not only a summary of the development of Chinese electronic dance music, but also a new beginning. Crafted to international standards, it aims to promote the works of outstanding Chinese producers on the world stage. On Nov. 29, this musical feast was spectacularly staged at the Escape deLux nightclub in Amsterdam, Netherlands, under the theme of “CHINA EDM NIGHT,” marking a significant step in the global journey of Chinese electronic music.
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“CHINA EDM NIGHT” was an unprecedented performance featuring “Beats from the East,” bringing the rhythm of the Orient to the Western stage. This event was a live rendition of the CHINA EDM Vol.1 compilation and a significant showcase of Chinese electronic music culture to the world. The performance took place at the renowned Amsterdam nightclub Escape deLux, known for its unique atmosphere and high-quality music events.
To ensure that the “CHINA EDM NIGHT” performance garnered more attention in the Netherlands, the organizers put significant effort into promotion. Offline advertising reached close to 4,000 advertising spaces, including large billboards, metro stations, hotels and public notice boards, promoting the compilation, artists and the event activities comprehensively to ensure that the performance information reached every potential audience member.
The release of the CHINA EDM Vol.1 compilation and the staging of the “CHINA EDM NIGHT” performance mark a significant step for Chinese electronic dance music on the global stage. This is a collective showcase of Chinese electronic music producers, as well as an international dissemination of Chinese electronic music culture.
CORSAK
Courtesy of CORSAK
Chace’s brand-new single “Tunnel Vision” was officially released on Tuesday (Nov. 26), marking his first step into the spotlight as a pop artist and the culmination of two years of preparation.
For Chace, this is not only an exploration of musical styles, but also a significant milestone in his career. Born in 1998 into a musical family in Jiangsu, China, Chace (Zhu Yihan) received professional training in jazz drums and piano from an early age, showcasing extraordinary talent in music. He began producing music at the age of 9 and signed with a Dutch record label at 16, launching his career as a professional musician.
In 2016, he made his debut at Belgium’s Tomorrowland and, in 2017, became the first Chinese artist to perform on Tomorrowland’s main stage, forever changing the presence of Chinese artists on the global music scene. Since then, he has continued to shine as a DJ and producer at top-tier international music festivals such as EDC, Ultra and Creamfields. In 2024, Chace became the first Chinese artist to sign with one of North America’s major record labels, BMG, further showcasing his ability to transcend genres and boundaries with “Tunnel Vision.”
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“Tunnel Vision” is a nostalgic pop electronic track, a tribute to Chace’s musical idol Michael Jackson. The song evokes memories of the golden 1980s, blending distinct rhythms and melodies with an infectious dance groove. Its polished production highlights Chace’s exceptional skills as a producer.
The music video for “Tunnel Vision” is equally innovative, directed and edited by Chace himself. Filmed entirely using an iPhone, it tells an eccentric story set three minutes before a train’s arrival. With its narrative charm, action sequences and high-speed shots, the music video delivers a visually compelling experience, pushing creative boundaries and demonstrating Chace’s burgeoning talent as a filmmaker.
“Tunnel Vision” is now available worldwide, but this is just the beginning of Chace’s musical journey. With more exciting projects on the horizon, he is poised to bring fresh, innovative works to his global audience.
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Hennessy, the world’s largest producer of cognac, now finds itself in the middle of a trade dispute that sparked a strike among the brand’s workers in France. Earlier this week, Hennessy factory staff organized a mass walkout strike to protest a proposed move to shift the bottling of the brandy from France to China.
By way of a New York Times report, Hennessy unveiled plans of bottling its prized product in China to offset the costs of import tariffs, with France’s President Emmanuel Macron requesting of China’s President Xi Jinping to end the tariffs. As the news broke regarding the bottling move, around 500 workers at the company’s factory in southwestern France walked off, which makes up half of its workforce. Thus far, the strike has gone on for two days since beginning this past Tuesday (November 21).
China has imposed tariffs on European brandy, a category cognac does fall under, and the country is one of Hennessy’s top markets. The plan to move the bottling operation is to save the company costs by not paying the hefty tariffs. The tariffs imposed by China are likely in response to the European Union voting to levy higher tariffs on electric vehicles produced by China with France being the leading voice in that charge. Conversely, the European brandy tariffs will deeply affect any brandies made in France.
The strike has spread to other cognac producers, collectively known as the Big Four, which include Martell, Rémy Martin, and Courvoisier. The quartet produces much of the cognac consumed globally. Hennessy says it has no plans to move its entire production to China and will test out the program by sending distilled cognac in vats to bottle there and thus bypassing the brandy tariffs.
The strike has the potential to run longer than a week as both sides continue to hammer down a day to discuss the matter between management and the workers.
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Universal Music Group made a pair of announcements on Wednesday that signal the global leader in music is getting more and more serious about China.
Universal Music Greater China and Modern Sky, a leading independent music label in the country, pressed send on a strategic distribution agreement giving the domestic label’s catalog and artists access to UMG’s global distribution network, fostering collaboration and promoting Chinese music and youth culture internationally.
Additionally, UMGC announced a pact with iQIYI, China’s leading online entertainment platform, to distribute new releases from contestants of reality show The Rap of China 2024 worldwide. This agreement includes support for the rap artists and opportunities for the top three finalists of the iQIYI-produced show to visit UMG’s global music labels and studios, with a goal to foster international collaborations with other artists and producers.
Modern Sky, founded in 1997 by Shen Lihui, has been a key player in China’s indie music scene, producing over 500 albums and working with influential bands and artists. The label’s roster includes over 150 acts, featuring Matt Lv, Aflou, DOUDOU and other established and emerging talents across diverse genres. Modern Sky is also known for organizing the Strawberry Music Festival, China’s first large-scale outdoor music festival, and hosting over 30 festivals and 1,000 performances annually. The label has expanded internationally with divisions in New York, Liverpool and Tokyo, with plans to debut the Strawberry Music Festival in Tokyo in 2025.
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As for The Rap of China, a hit since its debut in 2018, UMGC will dedicate a team to support the narrative-driven show’s artists in A&R, management, marketing and merchandise development.
Timothy Xu, chairman and CEO of UMGC, expressed excitement about both collaborations, highlighting their potential to amplify Chinese music on the global stage. He said the Modern Sky agreement “not only broadens the global reach of Chinese music but also highlights the distinct energy and creativity that define China’s young generation today,” and noted the alliance with iQIYI’s The Rap of China 2024 “reaffirms our commitment to nurturing Chinese rap talent but also extends their global reach, bridging cultural gaps and enriching the international music landscape with the dynamic culture of Chinese rap.”
Modern Sky founder Shen Lihui said his label has “always embraced an independent spirit and a forward-looking vision,” adding they hope to “bring a fresh side of Chinese originality to the world, inviting audiences everywhere to experience the unique energy and cultural depth of China’s youth.”
Earlier this year, UMG expanded its partnership with China-based Tencent Music Entertainment, parent of streaming platforms QQ Music, KuGou, Kuwo and WeSing. In 2021, UMGC became the first major music company to establish multiple frontline label operations across China with the launch of Republic Records China, and the re-launch of historical labels Polygram Records China and EMI China alongside Universal Music China.
Billboard China has officially announced the inaugural Billboard Global No. 1s selection for the China region. In a collaboration with TME Chart — part of Tencent Music Entertainment Group — Billboard China has analyzed the annual performance data from TME Chart, which encompasses the UNI Chart and Wave Chart, to curate a shortlist of 50 […]
ByteDance founder Zhang Yiming tops the list of China’s richest people, according to the Hurun Research Institute, although many of them have seen their net worth plunge over the past year.
The institute, which publishes the annual Hurun China Rich List, found that the total wealth of entrepreneurs on the list this year was $3 trillion, down 10% from the previous year.
The number of billionaires based on their net worth in U.S. dollars was also down 142, to 753. Hurun tallied 1,185 billionaires since 2021.
“The Hurun China Rich List has shrunk for an unprecedented third year running, as China’s economy and stock markets had a difficult year,” said Rupert Hoogewerf, chairman and chief researcher of the Hurun report.
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ByteDance’s Zhang came in No. 1 for the first time this year, with a net worth of $49.3 billion, according to Hurun. ByteDance, which is the parent company of popular short-video platforms Douyin and TikTok, saw its revenue grow to $110 billion last year.
He is also the first individual born in the 1980s to top the Hurun list.
Bottled water magnate Zhong Shanshan fell to second place in 2024 with $47.9 billion, after his brand Nongfu Spring faced backlash in February when consumers accused it of disloyalty to China due to designs of its bottles.
The backlash wiped out billions in market value for Nongfu Spring.
Coming in third is Tencent founder Pony Ma with a net worth of $44.4 billion, as the gaming firm saw its revenues rise.
This year’s China Rich List had just 54 new names added to the list, the lowest figure in two decades. New additions include Charlwin Mao and Miranda Qu Fang, the founders of Xiaohongshu, a social media and lifestyle platform popular with young users.
China’s economy has lagged in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic as the country grapples with a real estate crisis and a volatile stock market. Policymakers are expected to unveil major stimulus measures to encourage consumption and spending, which have declined in recent months.
On Thursday (Oct. 17), Tencent Music Entertainment Group announced a strategic partnership with Galaxy Corporation, the agency representing the influential global musician G-Dragon, for his upcoming regional tour.
The collaboration marks a significant step forward in TME’s ambitions to expand its global presence and further solidify its position in the international music scene. As part of this agreement, TME will act as the proprietary tour partner for G-Dragon’s concerts across various markets, including most of Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Australia and New Zealand.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, TC Pan, group vice president of Tencent Music Entertainment, highlighted the importance of this partnership. “Collaborating with a renowned global musician like G-Dragon aligns perfectly with TME’s vision of connecting international audiences with exceptional music experiences. This partnership not only strengthens our presence in the global market, but also underscores our commitment to empowering music partners and artists to reach their full potential on the world stage.”
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Yongho Choi, CEO of Galaxy Corporation, also shared his enthusiasm. “We are delighted to partner with Tencent Music Entertainment, a global entertainment-tech company listed on NYSE and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Building on this strategic partnership, we plan to integrate AI, AR, mixed reality, and robotics into entertainment to create a new kind of concert experience for global audiences.”
TME has been making efforts to broaden its international footprint through a range of initiatives like its Global Music Outreach program, which seeks to showcase Chinese music artists on international platforms and facilitate cross-border collaborations. It also operates the JOOX streaming service in Southeast Asia.
With this strategic partnership, TME aims to elevate G-Dragon’s overseas tour experience by expanding its reach and providing fans with new opportunities to connect with his music and brand, while reinforcing TME’s growing influence in the global music industry.
The 2024 Tencent Music Entertainment Awards (TMEA) were staged at the Galaxy Arena in Macau, China, from July 19 to 21.
Themed “High Five. Music Drive” and organized by Tencent Music Entertainment Group, the TMEA showcased a three-day music extravaganza, featuring a stellar lineup of international top artists and more than 100 performances, alongside a two-day indoor music festival and music ceremony.
The titles of Best Male Singer of the Year and Best Female Singer of the Year were awarded to Zhou Shen and Zhang Liangying, respectively, while Xue Zhiqian received recognition for Best Concert of the Year.
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Zhou Shen
Courtesy of TME
Wang Yuan was honored as the Most Influential Male Singer in the Chinese Mainland, while Yuan Yawei (TIA RAY) was awarded the title of Most Influential Female Singer in the Chinese Mainland. Additionally, the Most Influential Male and Female Singers from Hong Kong and Taiwan were awarded to Eason Chan and G.E.M., while the honors for Most Influential Singer-Songwriter and Most Influential Mandarin Group went to Jay Chou and Mayday, respectively.
The evening also featured the announcement of the Best of the Year awards: the titles of Best Male and Female Singers in the Chinese Mainland were awarded to Xue Zhiqian and Shan Yichun, while the Best Male and Female Singers from Hong Kong and Taiwan were given to Wilber Pan and Angela Zhang.
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Shan Yichun
Courtesy of TME
International artists were also in the spotlight, with Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift awarded Best International Male Artist and Most Influential International Artist of the Year, respectively.
The TMEA Music Ceremony brought together a lineup of iconic Chinese-language singers. Wang Yuan, Wilber Pan, Zhang Liangying, Tia Ray and Zhou Shen all performed, showcasing their hit songs and diverse musical styles.
Tia Ray
Courtesy of TME
In addition to established artists, the TMEA also highlighted many emerging stars in the Chinese music scene.
As a world-class choreographer, RIKIMARU served as the dance director for the 2024 TMEA and debuted his new song “Can’t Get Enough.” A representative of Chinese electronic music, who was the only Mandarin artist to perform on prestigious international electronic music festival stages such as Tomorrowland, Ultra, ADE and EDC, CORSAK delivered an electrifying DJ SHOW at the gala.
Established in 2019, the Tencent Music Entertainment Awards is an annual music awards ceremony that has captivated millions of music enthusiasts.
TMEA
Courtesy of TME
Top Chinese singers including Zhou Shen, Xue Zhiqian, Tia Ray and Wang Yuan are set to perform at the 2024 Tencent Music Entertainment Awards (TMEA), which will be held at the Galaxy Arena in Macau, China, from July 19 to 21. Themed “High Five. Music Drive,” the fifth edition of TMEA will showcase more than […]