Time Line

1984-85: Mainland singers release cassettes of cover songs from Taiwan, Hong Kong and Western countries.

1986: For the first time, the CCTV Young Singers' Televised Competition sets a category for pop songs.

1990: The Concert of Modern Music '90 is held at the Capital Gymnasium of Beijing, presenting the performance of six Chinese rock bands, including Tang Dynasty, Cobra and ADO.

1992: Dadi Music, one of the first Chinese labels of pop and rock music, is established and begins to sign singers like Ai Jing and Jing Gangshan.

2000: The Midi Music Festival, one of the first Chinese rock music festivals, is founded in Beijing.

2004: The first Super Girl TV singing contest is held. It becomes China's most popular talent show and produces some of today's most popular singers such as Li Yuchun and Zhang Liangying.

2005: The Internet becomes an important medium to promote Chinese pop songs. Some songs, such as Rats Love Rice and Two Butterflies, become extremely popular through the Internet.

2008: Outdoor Music Festivals begin to appear throughout China and become one of the most important platforms for China's rock and pop music.

(China Daily 06/01/2011 page52)