State-Sponsored Pop from China

January 28, 2014 Alan Cross 0 Comments 0 min read

One of the most effective ways of asserting foreign policy is through soft power. And pop culture is an extremely effective form of this power. The best example I can think of is how rock (especially the Beatles) played a role in the fall of the Soviet Union and communism.

China, of course, knows this. And this is where we meet Ruhan Jia, a state-sponsored pop singer that the Communist Part of China wants to make a star.

The BBC has more. And you thought that the CanCon rules were heavy…

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 39810 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross