THE music industry is stepping up its fight against piracy on the mainland, which is believed to be the world's biggest market for bootleg recordings.
The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) is opening three offices in China this month and has set up a task force with the Guangdong government to combat piracy.
The London-based organisation represents music producers and distributors and has more than 1,000 members in 71 countries.
It co-ordinates the recording industry's anti-piracy activities and works for the introduction of copyright and related legislation around the world.
The IFPI has joined the Guangdong authorities to set up an agency to investigate and take action against infringements of intellectual property rights, including recording copyrights.
The Social Culture Task Force will monitor the growing number of compact-disc plants in the province - conducting raids where necessary - and check up on audio piracy.
The IFPI has contributed funds to set up the agency and will train its staff.