A star ascendant thanks to a phone and the internet

Zhang Xin was ecstatic to be recording his first song in a recording studio. In the past he had only sung cover songs using the popular mobile karaoke app Changba.

The recording session marked the first time on which Changba had made a professional recording for one of for its celebrity users.

"The app offers those who want to showcase their talent a platform," says Zhang, 29, from Haicheng in Liaoning province.