Universal Music Greater China (UMGC), a division of Universal Music Group, has acquired the recorded rights to the Carrier Creative catalog of 1980s and 1990s Mandopop.
The catalog includes recordings by the group Little Tigers and singer-songwriter Johnny Chiang, along with acts including Nicky Wu, Alec Su, You Huan Pai Dui, Hong Hai Er, and Girl Group.
The deal was announced on Monday (June 8) at UMGC’s inaugural China Summit in Beijing.
The acquisition follows a partnership launched in 2025 between UMGC and Taiwan-based music companySkyhigh Entertainment, which previously managed the catalog.
That collaboration led to the restoration, remastering, and global streaming relaunch of more than 600 recordings and 66 albums, including 24 releases from Little Tigers and Johnny Chiang, according to UMGC.
According to the announcement, the repertoire is “widely regarded as one of the foundational catalogs of the modern Chinese era”, and “helped define the first golden age of Chinese-language youth pop culture, and shaped the emotional memory of multiple generations across the Chinese-speaking world”.
It is the first catalog acquisition by UMGC in the region, the company said.
“We are deeply grateful to Shirley Miao for her trust in placing this extraordinary catalog with Universal Music, and we will honor that trust by preserving its legacy while creating new possibilities for these works in the years ahead.”
Timothy Xu, Universal Music Greater China
Timothy Xu, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Universal Music Greater China, said: “The Little Tigers, Johnny Chiang and the broader Carrier Creative catalog represent one of the most important chapters in the history of Chinese-language popular music. These songs helped shape the sound, identity and collective memory of an entire generation.
“We are deeply grateful to Shirley Miao for her trust in placing this extraordinary catalog with Universal Music, and we will honor that trust by preserving its legacy while creating new possibilities for these works in the years ahead.”
UMGC’s inaugural China Summit took place after China overtook Germany to become the world’s fourth-largest recorded music market in 2025, according to the IFPI.
China’s recorded music revenues grew 20.1%YoYlast year, the fastest rate among the world’s 20 largest markets.
“The landmark acquisition of the Carrier Creative catalog demonstrates our ongoing commitment to preserving China’s important musical heritage, and with Jason Zhang joining our global artist roster UMGC is firmly at the forefront of Chinese pop music.”
Adam Granite, UMG
Under Chairman & Chief Executive Officer TimothyXu, UMGC has signed a series of deals with Chinese artists.
They include an exclusive global agreement with Liu Huan, known domestically as the “King of Chinese Pop,” covering recording and publishing rights, and, most recently, a deal with Chinese singer, songwriter, and producer JasonZhang.
The Carrier Creative deal also follows Xu‘s comments to MBW in a recent interview on the company’s appetite for dealmaking in the market.
“M&A is a very important strategy for Universal Music in China,” Xu told MBW.
“I believe Tim and the UMGC team will continue to care for these works with the passion, respect, and long-term commitment they deserve.”
Shirley Miao, Carrier Creative
Shirley Miao, Founder of Carrier Creative, said: “These songs have been my life’s work. For nearly forty years, I have devoted myself to caring for this catalog and carrying it through different eras. There is a great deal of emotion in finally passing it on.”
Added Miao: What matters most to me is knowing they are now in the hands of people and a company I truly trust. I believe Tim and the UMGC team will continue to care for these works with the passion, respect, and long-term commitment they deserve.”
“Our work with Universal Music began with a shared goal: to bring these classics back to listeners in the best possible way. Through careful restoration, remastering and global streaming relaunch, we were able to preserve the warmth and character of the original recordings while suited to today’s digital platforms.”
Mark Liu, Skyhigh Entertainment
Mark Liu, Chief Executive Officer, Skyhigh Entertainment, said: “Our work with Universal Music began with a shared goal: to bring these classics back to listeners in the best possible way. Through careful restoration, remastering and global streaming relaunch, we were able to preserve the warmth and character of the original recordings while suited to today’s digital platforms.”
“Congratulations to Universal Music, Skyhigh Entertainment, and Carrier Creative on this partnership.”
Nicky Wu, Little Tigers
Nicky Wu (吴奇隆), member of Little Tigers, said: “Congratulations to Universal Music, Skyhigh Entertainment, and Carrier Creative on this partnership. I believe Universal Music will carefully preserve the youth and memories we all shared together, while helping these classic songs from Chinese pop music continue to reach more audiences and travel even further for years to come.”
Johnny Chiang (姜育恒), Mandopop singer-songwriter, said: “Looking back on those years, every melody created during the Carrier Creative era remains a precious treasure of its time. I’m very happy to see these timeless classics become part of UMG’s catalog legacy, and I hope they will continue to move new generations of listeners for many years ahead.”
Adam Granite, CEO of Universal Music Group AMEA, said: “UMGC’s inaugural China Summit reflected the energy, ambition and investment we bring to this dynamic music market. The landmark acquisition of the Carrier Creative catalog demonstrates our ongoing commitment to preserving China’s important musical heritage, and with Jason Zhang joining our global artist roster UMGC is firmly at the forefront of Chinese pop music.
“Thank you to all the partners and artists who joined us on this special occasion, and who continue to work with us as we take China’s music to audiences around the world.”
The deal follows the news of UMG’s recent signing of superstar Chinese singer, songwriter, and producer Jason Zhang.
Together with Jason Zhang’s personal label ‘Planet Culture’, UMGC will work across Jason Zhang’s future recorded music, artist management, live performance, international presence and broader strategic developmentMusic Business Worldwide
