The adapted song has become a global phenomenon, with its success attributed to a combination of cultural exchange and innovative music production.
An Indonesian-language adaptation of a Chinese song has surpassed 2 billion global streams, demonstrating the growing international appeal of Chinese-language music and the power of cross-cultural musical collaboration.
At the finals of the ‘C-Wave Global Music Co-creation Plan · Joy Resonance of Nanyang’ in Kuala Lumpur, Indonesian singer Kezia Kaithlyn claimed the grand prize with Aku Masih Memikirkanmu, an adaptation of the Chinese track ‘Later I met him’. The singer said she hopes the song will help more Southeast Asian listeners connect with the emotions and stories at the heart of Chinese-language music.
Hosted by China’s Guangdong Radio and Television, the project is open worldwide with no restrictions on nationality or age, featuring three tracks: original creation, adaptation, and AI co-creation. Within just 30 days of launch, it received over 5,000 submissions from around the world, with musicians from more than half of APEC member economies participating.
The finals brought together 300 guests, with 68 local media outlets including Radio Television Malaysia covering the event. A Malaysian member of parliament said music can dissolve differences and expressed hope the event becomes a regular fixture. A local tourism and culture official described the project as building a bridge for Asia-Pacific youth exchange under the framework of APEC’s China year. Scholars from multiple countries also recognized Chinese-language music’s value in connecting hearts across regions.
The program has generated an enthusiastic response. Experts on international affairs and China studies, the president of the UNESCO Culture Without Borders association, and Chinese-language schools worldwide have followed it closely.
Overseas reach has totaled 300 million, with 137 domestic and international platforms simultaneously promoting it. The initiative helps ordinary amateurs reach the international stage, using music as a vehicle for civilizational dialogue and conveying an open and inclusive Chinese culture to the world.