One of the evergreen talents of the Chinese pop music scene, Andy Lau on Wednesday joined East Asia Music, strengthening the Hong Kong music empire's already booming star list.

Andy Lau attends a press conference in Hong Kong where he signed with East Asia Music, on Wednesday, December 5, 2007.

Lau's new company also covers such stars as Miriam Yeung, Sammi Cheng and Leon Lai, the singer who, along with Lau, Jacky Cheung and Aaron Kwok, forms the venerated Four Cantopop Heavenly Kings of the 1990s.

East Asia Music on Wednesday threw a lavish press conference to welcome Lau, but held back the exact figure of his contract value.

A collection of Lau's best-known hits since 2000 was released on the same day by the company to mark the occasion.

The release, entitled "Everyone is No.1," also encompasses 11 music videos that were never released before. Lau himself calls it a keepsake of his signing with East Asia Music.

Raising many eyebrows, Lau also sold the copyright of about 500 songs made since 1993 to East Asia Music. He said he believed that the company was powerful enough to utilize the rights to the greatest possible value.

Meanwhile, Lau said that by signing with the company, he had committed himself to yielding at least 30 songs within the next three years, but it would not have any negative impact on his career outside music.

The versatile entertainer, now 46, has come a long way in his acting career, coping with some of his film dealings through his own company.

Sammi Cheng (L) celebrates Andy Lau's joining East Asia Music at a press conference in Hong Kong on Wednesday, December 5, 2007.

(CRI December 6, 2007)