BEIJING, June 21 -- Warner Music Group said Tuesday that it had signed a distribution deal with China Unicom Ltd., China's second-largest mobile phone operator, to sell its music over the wireless network.

    The record company, which is home to artists including Madonna, Green Day and Sean Paul, said the direct catalog distribution agreement would offer a range of ring tones and voice greetings by Warner artists marketed over the operator's CDMA and GSM networks to China Unicom's 130 million customers.

    Warner Music said it was the first major record company to establish a full affiliate in China in 2000.

    A source close to Warner Music said that the company had been keen to find a partner who had a similar incentive to ensure that the music was distributed safely and legitimately.

    The deal will focus on local Asia Pacific artists including Stephanie Sun, Tanya Chua, Wang Jing and Paul Wong.

    China's digital music business was reported to be worth 3.6 billion yuan (US$450 million) in 2005, according to the Chinese Audio-Video Association.

    (Source: Shenzhen Daily/Agencies)