The programme provides (in both Beijing & Shanghai) opportunities for UK delegates to:

Specific objectives include scoping the viability and making key contacts to help develop

- live performance/touring,
- licensing/distribution,
- synch licensing, and
- new media initiatives in the region.

The 2005 mission will build on AIM's successful mission to China last year and the scoping mission to South East Asia & Japan (2001), which identified China as having the greatest potential for new business. Sales of singles, CDs and DVDs were $211.8 million in 2004, a 6.8 % increase on 2003 (IFPI).

This mission also follows on from another key joint Government/AIM
initiative launched in China this year - a new office facility based in Beijing to act as a single point of contact for independent UK music companies.

There will be a particular focus on the opportunities for viral marketing through the internet and on the ring tones business which is growing very rapidly in China. Simon Wheeler, Head of New Media for The Beggars Group, and Chairman of AIM's New Media Committee commented "The mission gives the UK industry an opportunity to learn how artists are being popularised through non-traditional means, with ring tones proving to be a very significant feature of the business model. As AIM's representative for New Media, I hope to be able to establish new relationships to build on these opportunities for the UK music industry".

Trade Minister Ian Pearson said: "China as a key market which British music companies can succeed in. The Chinese economy is growing at an unprecedented rate which has seen an explosion of innovation and creativity. China's accession to the WTO will further stimulate its music market. I have no doubt that British innovation can help China fulfil its desire to develop its growing music scene."

According to Alison Wenham, Chief Executive of AIM: "With the UK music office facility now fully operational in China, we are receiving many enquiries from UK companies keen to raise their profile in China. There are still considerable market barriers to overcome, but we are confident that, over time, effort will be rewarded by a growing business partnership with the Chinese Music Industry. Our latest mission to China builds on this work to date, and will support companies ready and willing to do business the Chinese way."

The companies on this year's mission are:

• Archangel Productions
• Beggars Group Digital
• Big Help Music Ltd
• Binary
• Chocolate Fireguard Music Ltd
• Concept Music
• Dantien Records/Yeahpod
• Fabric
• Hornall Bros Music Ltd
• Hospital Records
• Matador Records
• MCPS
• Ninja Tune
• Poptones Records Ltd
• Taste Management Ltd
• Timewarp Distribution Ltd
• Timeless Music Project Ltd