Setting the Stage

This chapter introduces the rationale and inception of the ‘Chinese music industry unplugged’ book. It first starts with introducing a paradox the Chinese music industry is facing, namely rampant piracy issue with increased gross income in the digital music sector. It also situates the music industries in China’s grand platform ecosystem with regard to the popular discourse of cultural and creative industries. Recent developments in the music sector, policy and major players in the past five years will be explained to set the stage for further investigation. This will be done by problematising artists’ fair compensation and remuneration in the digital economy. Research questions will follow with the structure of the book explained.