This Day, That Year

Item from Nov 6, 1994, in China Daily: Music to the masses - Compact-disc jukeboxes enliven the streets of Shanghai. Inserting a few coins, passers-by can choose from a collection of hundreds of songs.

Technology has changed the way people listen to music and the way they sing in China, from the popular karaoke to online singing platforms. Now comes the latest trend: mini karaoke booths.

Mini KTVs are taking the country by storm. The soundproofed booths are typically equipped with an air conditioner, a couple of chairs and headsets. You pay a fee, put on the headset start singing. They're similar in function to traditional karaoke, but the booths provide a more intimate environment.