The southern Chinese city of Shenzhen will have its first ever international pop music festival this year and the Taiwan singer Qi Qin is planning the event, the Shenzhen Evening News reports.

Qi Qin at a press conference in Shenzhen on Thursday, June 19, 2008.

The pop music festival, organized by the state-owned Shenzhen Media Group, will run from October 2nd to the 5th, with a grand opening concert, an industry forum, a two-night outdoor music bash, and a finale concert for paying tribute to China's 30-year pop music history.

Qi Qin and his studio will arrange the event from inviting the musicians to setting up the audio equipment.

Qi Qin said at a press conference on Thursday that it is the first time for him to organize such a big event.

"It is a challenge, but I have confidence in the festival," he said, "because in Shenzhen there is a large population of young consumers and a gap in its history of holding international music events."

"We hope to make it the largest music festival brand in China in three to five years," he said.

(CRI June 21, 2008)