Making CDs For Less In China

The reportage of China's CD piracy is as prevalent as the shops selling counterfeit CDs and DVDs in Chinese cities. Yet there are some signs that the music industry is shifting upstream here as multinational record firms outsource the production of CDs to China. Proof is Discturkey Solution, a company in southerly Guandong province producing CD and DVD discs. "Foreign record companies, individual musicians and music shops have all become our clients," says Tui Lee, Sales Representative at the company, which sells 75% of its output to UK, US, Australiasia.

Discturnkey can produce and package a shelf-ready CD for one Yuan (about EUR0.10)  - while a DVD costs 1.5 to 2 yuan. "Usually music companies provide the copyright and music to us and we will produce according their clients' requirements. We have done a lot of work for UK companies doing compilations of 1960s and 70s English music like the Beatles," Tui told Beijing Beat.

Foreign customers are assured, says Tui, by Discturnkey being one of only two Chinese firms which have joined the Content Delivery and Storage Association (CDSA) in the US (the other firm is Sony BMG in Shanghai). "Being a member demonstates that the company should never produce audio-video products for piracy makers," says Tui.