SHANGHAI, CHINA – The fifth edition of the International Music X (IMX), centered on the theme “2025 Connection,” has successfully concluded its four-day conference in Shanghai. The event, presented in partnership with Music China, brought together over 100 industry leaders from around the world for 38 forums, 6 showcase sessions and other special sessions, cementing its role as a key platform for the music industry.

Conference Highlights: Four-Day Review

Day 1: Global Markets and Cultural Heritage

The conference opened with a focus on the foundational pillars of the global music business: copyright, technology, and cultural preservation.

• Global Copyright Dialogue: The day featured keynotes on the UK and Chinese copyright markets from leaders at the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) and the China Audio-video Copyright Association (CAVCA), providing a comparative look at two of the world’s largest music economies.
• AIGC and Rights Management: An international roundtable with executives from Russia, the USA, and the UK addressed the challenges and strategies for managing music rights in the era of AIGC and other emerging technologies.
• Music and Technology: Tech giant Huawei presented on its latest innovations, including advancements in spatial audio generation and the use of technology to preserve and promote intangible cultural heritage music.
• “World Music Seed Bank”: A special segment explored the intersection of traditional music and modern industry, featuring a discussion with the founder of the globally renowned Wuzhen “art town” on building music-centric cultural ecosystems.

Day 2: Technology, Trends, and the Creator Economy

The second day delved into the forces shaping modern content creation, from AI tools to the data behind viral hits.

• The Anatomy of a Hit: A panel with executives from Taihe Music Group and Kuaishou Music analyzed the data and strategies behind viral music, exploring content creation in the age of short-form video.
• AI’s Role in Creativity: International experts from the UK and Russia joined Chinese artists to discuss the future of AI as a creative tool, debating its potential to open new artistic frontiers for musicians.
• ‘She Is Also Good’ Session: The day’s spotlight on female creators featured the founders of the ‘Good Good Planet’ all-female music label, who shared their innovative approach to artist development and building a supportive ecosystem.
• Asian Music’s Global Path: A key panel brought together leaders from DAFLOW.AI (Japan), FUGA (Netherlands), and THE HUB Music Group (Korea) to discuss strategies for Asian music distribution and global business development.

Day 3: Innovation, Strategic Alliances, and Asian Markets

The third day was marked by a focus on tangible innovation and groundbreaking international cooperation.

• IMXUP Startup Accelerator: The conference’s music-tech accelerator hosted its final pitch session, where innovative startups in AI music generation, cross-border rights management, and music IP development presented their projects to a panel of investors and industry experts.
• “International Music Alliance” Signing: A landmark ceremony saw representatives from China, Russia, and Kazakhstan sign a joint declaration to establish a cross-regional music ecosystem, promoting deeper collaboration in market development, content exchange, and talent mobility.
• The Future of Asian Distribution: A high-level panel featured CEOs and directors from the Worldwide Independent Network (WIN), the Independent Music Coalition Japan (IMCJ), and The Record Label Industry Association of Korea (LIAK), who discussed the current state and future trends of the independent music market across Asia.

Day 4: Artist Branding and the Future of Creation

The conference concluded with forward-looking discussions on the modern artist’s career and the evolving nature of music itself.

• Building the Artist Brand: A roundtable featuring popular artists Chen Xuening and Franklin Zeng (Fanka) explored the strategies for building a personal brand and connecting with audiences in the crowded social media landscape.
• The Asian Female Creator Ecosystem: The final ‘She Is Also Good’ session featured an in-depth discussion with internationally recognized artists Misi Ke and Gwyn, alongside NetEase Cloud Music VP Carol Li Wei, on the opportunities and challenges for female professionals in the Asian music industry.
• Closing Roundtable – AI or Not AI?: The conference wrapped with a thought-provoking debate on the integration of artificial intelligence in music, bringing together producers, label heads, and artists to discuss the balance between technological efficiency and authentic human creativity.

Announcing IMX Tokyo

Following the success in Shanghai, IMX will host its first-ever multi-city event in Japan, with a focus on fostering collaboration within the East Asian music market and highlighting innovations in music technology.

• Event: IMX Tokyo 2025
• Date: December 5, 2025
• Venue: SHIBUYA STREAM Hall, Shibuya, Tokyo

Partnership and sponsorship inquiries for IMX Tokyo are now being accepted. For all inquiries regarding delegation, sponsorship, and partnership opportunities for IMX Tokyo, please contact our team directly at info@imxgo.com.