Number of online music users in China hit 684 mln by 2022

Online music is becoming an increasingly integral part of people's lives and many people are listening to music on internet platforms.

The 51st China Statistical Report on Internet Development recently released by the China Internet Network Information Center indicated that by 2022, the number of online music users in China had reached 684 million, accounting for 64.1 percent of the country's total internet users.

A visitor sings in front of a karaoke machine in the cultural and tourism services exhibition hall at the Shougang Park during the 2021 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Ren Chao)

Xiaowen started to use Netease Cloud Music, a music app, years ago as a student. "The app not only remembers my music preferences, but also carries unforgettable memories for me," said Xiaowen, who added that it brings a sense of relaxation to be able to communicate with other music lovers on the platform.

Short-video platforms are stepping up their efforts to develop the music business in an effort to satisfy the needs of users. For instance, Douyin has launched a one-stop music cooperation and solution platform and a music app to try to achieve deep integration between short videos and music.

Online music platforms offer various types of music, including classical music, pop music, Chinese-style music, European and American music, instrumental music and rap, providing search functions that can reduce the time users spend looking for music resources. Music apps also serve as a platform for fans of lesser-known songs to interact with each other.

Rich content creates a broader prospect for the development of online music, and high-quality content is the precondition for users to pay for music.

Lin Haiqiang, general manager of the commercial product center of Tencent Music Entertainment, said users' recognition of music and their willingness to pay for music give strong support to top creators, and collaborative efforts from various parties are needed to cultivate the awareness of paying for music.

The fiscal report of Tencent Music Entertainment indicated that in 2022, the group's revenue reached 28.34 billion yuan ($4.11 billion) and the number of users who paid for music on platforms operated by the group grew 16.1 percent year on year to reach 88.5 million.

A lab of Tencent Music Entertainment has launched a virtual singer nicknamed "Xiaoqin." Backed by artificial intelligence (AI) technology, the virtual singer can sing songs in Mandarin, English and Cantonese, identify songs through lyrics, and imitate the human process of singing while putting on facial expressions.

Technological innovations are bringing new possibilities to the online music sector and AI technology is generating more application scenarios, including improving the efficiency of creating music, virtual singers and human singers collaborating to perform songs, and the launch of AI singers, among other things.