The UK music industry and British government is taking a trade mission to China from April 10-15. The week-long programme of events in Beijing is designed for businesses to explore opportunities in the world’s second-largest economy.

The Department for International Trade (DIT) is organising the trade mission in partnership with AIM and the BPI. It will include a programme of education, networking, B2B meetings, conferences, showcases, music company site visits and other music-related activities.

Artists, managers, promoters, record labels, digital distribution companies, festival bookers and promoters working in all genres of music are being invited to participate next month. Activities include Sound Of The Xity (SOTX), a platform with a commitment to the joint development of the Chinese and Western music industries.

Emmy Buckingham, membership and international manager at AIM, said: "Building on the positive outcomes of last year’s trade mission to China, AIM is thrilled to support the 2018 delegation heading out to Beijing. As part of the British Music Partnership with BPI and DIT we are committed to helping music businesses monetize internationally, through digital, physical and other markets.

“The China mission provides an unparalleled chance to equip British music companies with the vital intelligence and contacts they need to develop their business in this complex region.”

Chris Tams, BPI director of independent membership and international, added: "The BPI and its partners organise a number of international trade missions to key music markets each year by way of developing export opportunities for their members and to promote British music around the world. 

“This is the second mission to China we’ve been involved with and we hope to build on the success of last year’s mission. With a burgeoning aspirational population that clearly has a love of all things British, improving respect for copyright and authentic quality products, and the UK needing to forge new international trading relationships, the timing of this second visit couldn’t be better. 

“Music has become Britain’s global calling card and we fully intend to use it in this exciting emerging market which has the potential to transform global music sales.”                      

Anyone interested in signing up to the trade mission should contact: phil.patterson@trade.gov.uk

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