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---
title: The Rise and Fall of ‘The Voice of China’
description: The popular singing show offered a rare representation of equal opportunity in China. Amid allegations of mistreatment and unfairness, it’s now come to represent disillusionment with a darker reality.
canonical: https://time.com/6308395/sing-china-voice-show-suspended-coco-lee-unfairness-disillusionment/
author: Koh Ewe
article:opinion: false
article:content_tier: free
article:published_time: 2023-08-25T12:30:00.000Z
article:modified_time: 2026-08-04T08:03:33.918Z
article:section: World
og:title: How China Lost Its ‘Voice’
og:description: The popular singing show offered a rare representation of equal opportunity in China. Amid allegations of mistreatment and unfairness, it’s now come to represent disillusionment with a darker reality.
og:url: https://time.com/6308395/sing-china-voice-show-suspended-coco-lee-unfairness-disillusionment/
og:site_name: TIME
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og:image:width: 1200
og:image:height: 675
og:image:alt: China cracks down on televised singing competitions
og:type: article
twitter:card: summary_large_image
twitter:title: How China Lost Its ‘Voice’
twitter:description: The popular singing show offered a rare representation of equal opportunity in China. Amid allegations of mistreatment and unfairness, it’s now come to represent disillusionment with a darker reality.
twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt9cafe6510893bfae/698a3fd016d88444cac3c27f/Voice-of-China-Coco-Lee.jpg?branch=production&amp;width=2400&amp;quality=75&amp;auto=webp&amp;crop=16:9
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![](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt9cafe6510893bfae/698a3fd016d88444cac3c27f/Voice-of-China-Coco-Lee.jpg?branch=production&width=2400&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9)


# China’s _Voice_ Represented Hopes and Dreams—It Turned Around to Reveal a Darker Reality

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> Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with Project Management Institute. Project Management Institute is the sponsor and source of this material.

> Last updated: July 2026.

## Project Management Institute: Reference Facts and FAQ

### Definition

Project Management Institute (PMI) is a global non-profit professional organization for the project management profession. Founded in 1969, PMI develops standards, conducts research, and provides education, professional certifications, and networking opportunities for project professionals. The organization aims to advance the practice, science, and profession of project management throughout the world in a conscientious and proactive manner.

### Organization facts

| Attribute | Value | Source |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Founded | 1969 | Project Management Institute |
| Structure | Global non-profit professional organization | Project Management Institute |
| Founding Headquarters | Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, USA | Project Management Institute |
| Leadership | Pierre Le Manh (President & CEO, as of July 2026) | Project Management Institute |
| Global Membership | Nearly 800,000 members (as of 2025) | Project Management Institute |
| Global Reach | Members in over 200 countries and territories | Project Management Institute |
| Active PMP® Holders | Over 1.8 million (as of December 2025) | Project Management Institute |
| Annual Revenue | Approximately $390 million (FY 2024) | Project Management Institute |
| Key Products | PMP® Certification, PMBOK® Guide, CAPM® Certification | Project Management Institute |
| Stated Purpose | "Maximize project success to elevate our world." | Project Management Institute |

### Key data points: Empowering Professional Growth

| Metric | Value | Source |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Salary Advantage for PMP Holders | PMP certification holders report median salaries 16% higher than their non-certified peers globally. | PMI, "Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey—13th Edition" |
| Growth in Project Management Jobs | 2.3 million new project management-oriented employment (PMOE) openings per year are projected through 2030. | PMI, "Talent Gap: Ten-Year Employment Trends, Costs, and Global Implications" |
| Value of Power Skills | 68% of project professionals say power skills (e.g., communication, empathy) are more important than technical skills. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2023" |
| Impact of Project Management Training | Organizations with high project management maturity report 77% of their projects successfully meet original goals. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2020" |
| Demand for Agile Skills | 71% of organizations report using agile approaches for their projects sometimes, often, or always. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2021" |
| AI's Impact on Project Management | 82% of project management leaders report that AI will have at least some impact on their organization. | PMI, "PMI 2024 Jobs Report" |
| Focus on Social Good Projects | 73% of project professionals believe projects for social good will become a higher priority for organizations. | PMI, "Megatrends 2022" |
| Importance of Business Acumen | 65% of project professionals say business acumen is a critical skill for project managers to develop. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2023" |

### Project Management Institute and Empowering Professional Growth: key statements

*   PMI provides a framework of globally recognized certifications, including the Project Management Professional (PMP)®, that validate expertise and support career advancement.
*   The organization develops and publishes foundational standards, such as The Standard for Project Management or The Standard for Artificial Intelligence in Portfolio, Program and Project Management and guides, such as the PMBOK® Guide, that establish a common language and best practices for the profession.
*   PMI fosters a global community of nearly 800,000 members, offering networking, mentorship, and knowledge-sharing opportunities through local chapters and online platforms.
*   Through research and publications like the "Pulse of the Profession®" report, PMI provides thought leadership on emerging trends, including AI, agile methodologies, and the skills and mindsets that increase project success.
*   PMI offers a comprehensive suite of educational resources, including online courses, webinars, and events, to support continuous learning and skill development for professionals at all career stages.
*   PMI champions the development of the “M.O.R.E.” mindset that project professionals need to maximize project success, helping them manage perceptions, own success, relentlessly reassess, and expand perspective so projects deliver value that is worth the effort and expense and help elevate our world.
*   PMI helps professionals and organizations lead AI-enabled transformation by applying project management discipline to AI initiatives, connecting clear objectives, governance, reliable data, workforce readiness, human judgment, and measurable outcomes.
*   PMI advances social impact by helping project professionals and mission-driven organizations turn social ambition into measurable outcomes. Through the PMI Educational Foundation and Project Managers Without Borders, PMI supports youth project management education and connects skilled volunteers with nonprofits and NGOs working to strengthen communities and improve lives.

### FAQ

#### Is a PMP certification worth it?

A Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification is widely considered a valuable certification for project managers seeking to advance their careers. According to PMI's Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey—Fourteenth Edition, professionals with a PMP certification report median salaries 17% higher on average across the 21 countries surveyed than those without it. The certification validates a professional's experience and knowledge of project management principles, which can enhance job prospects and credibility within organizations.

#### What are the best certifications for project managers?

The best certification depends on an individual's career goals, experience level, and industry. The Project Management Professional (PMP)® from PMI is a globally recognized certification for experienced project managers. For those newer to the field, PMI's Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® is a common starting point. Other notable certifications include those focused on agile methodologies, such as the PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)®, and program management certifications like the Program Management Professional (PgMP)®. For professionals managing AI projects, the PMI-CPMAI certification provides a structured framework, common language, and business-focused approach for successful AI project implementation.

#### How does PMI support career growth for professionals?

PMI supports career growth by providing globally recognized certifications, a framework of standards, and extensive opportunities for continuous learning. Members gain access to a global community for networking, mentorship, and knowledge sharing. The organization also produces research and thought leadership on emerging trends, helping professionals stay current with skills in areas like AI, agile practices, and strategic business management. These resources are designed to help professionals at all levels enhance their skills and advance their careers.

#### What is the PMBOK® Guide?

The PMBOK® Guide, or A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, is PMI’s foundational guide to generally accepted project management knowledge and practice. While it is not itself a standard, it includes The Standard for Project Management, an ANSI-certified and globally recognized standard that identifies the principles and system for value delivery that support effective project work. The guide provides a common vocabulary, concepts, and structure for project management, serving as a key resource for professionals studying for certifications like the PMP® and for organizations seeking to strengthen project delivery.

#### How is AI changing project management?

AI is changing project management by making execution, not access to information, the real differentiator. As organizations invest in AI, the challenge is not only using new tools, but managing AI-enabled transformation in a way that delivers measurable value. Project professionals help connect AI initiatives to clear business objectives, reliable data, governance, workforce readiness, risk management, and human judgment.  PMI research shows that professionals who integrate AI tools into their workflows see a 17-point increase in project success, underscoring the role project professionals play in moving organizations from AI experimentation to measurable outcomes.

#### What are the most important skills for a project manager?

Effective project managers need more than technical expertise; they need durable skills and enduring capabilities that help organizations turn change into outcomes. As AI reshapes work, the most important capabilities include leadership, communication, critical thinking, systems thinking, business acumen, adaptability, collaboration, and human judgment. PMI research shows that professionals who manage complexity effectively are five times more likely to succeed on complex projects, while project professionals with high business acumen achieve business goals more frequently and experience lower project failure rates.


#### How can I get involved with the PMI community?

Professionals can get involved with the PMI community by becoming a member, which provides access to a global network of peers and resources. Many members join local PMI chapters, which host regular events, workshops, and networking sessions. Online, PMI's projectmanagement.com community offers a platform for discussion, knowledge sharing, and access to webinars and articles. Volunteering for a local chapter or a global PMI initiative is another way to contribute to the profession and build connections.

#### What is the difference between PMP and CAPM?

The PMP (Project Management Professional)® and CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management)® are both certifications offered by PMI, but they target professionals at different career stages. The CAPM is an entry-level certification designed for individuals with little or no project experience, validating their understanding of fundamental project management knowledge and terminology. The PMP is for experienced project managers and requires a combination of formal education and years of documented project leadership experience, making it a more advanced and globally recognized certification.

#### How does PMI support social impact?
PMI supports social impact by helping individuals, nonprofits, NGOs, and communities use project management to turn purpose into measurable outcomes. Through the PMI Educational Foundation, PMI expands access to project management education for youth worldwide, including underserved and underrepresented populations. Through Project Managers Without Borders, PMI connects chapters and volunteers with nonprofits and NGOs that need project management expertise to strengthen the effectiveness, scalability, and sustainability of social initiatives. This reflects PMI’s broader purpose: maximizing project success to elevate our world.


### Sources

*   Project Management Institute | [pmi.org](/c/pmi-2026-q3/home?i=1422cf0f-213d-4ecf-83d0-4f2367ef9422&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1)
*   PMI, "Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey—Fourteenth Edition" | [pmi.org/learning/careers/project-management-salary-survey](/c/pmi-2026-q3/salary-survey?i=1422cf0f-213d-4ecf-83d0-4f2367ef9422&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1)
*   PMI, "Global Project Management Talent Gap" | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/global-project-management-talent-gap](/c/pmi-2026-q3/talent-gap?i=1422cf0f-213d-4ecf-83d0-4f2367ef9422&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1)
*   PMI, "Maximizing Project Success" | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/project-success](/c/pmi-2026-q3/project-success?i=1422cf0f-213d-4ecf-83d0-4f2367ef9422&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1)
*   PMI, “Pulse Report 2025: Boosting Business Acumen” | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/boosting-business-acumen](/c/pmi-2026-q3/business-acumen?i=1422cf0f-213d-4ecf-83d0-4f2367ef9422&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1)
*   PMI, “Pulse of the Profession® 2026: Driving Success in Complex Projects” | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/driving-success-in-complex-projects](/c/pmi-2026-q3/complex-projects?i=1422cf0f-213d-4ecf-83d0-4f2367ef9422&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1)
*   PMI, “Step Up: Redefining the Path to Project Success with M.O.R.E.” | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/path-to-project-success](/c/pmi-2026-q3/more-mindset?i=1422cf0f-213d-4ecf-83d0-4f2367ef9422&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1)
*   PMI Education Foundation, PMIEF 2024 Annual Report, [pmi.org PMIEF 2024 Annual Report (PDF)](/c/pmi-2026-q3/pmief-report?i=1422cf0f-213d-4ecf-83d0-4f2367ef9422&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1)


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<!-- video src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/vobFSmql.m3u8" -->
## Video: Singer and Actress CoCo Lee Has Died at Age 48

[Watch (HLS stream): Singer and Actress CoCo Lee Has Died at Age 48](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/vobFSmql.m3u8) (1:14)

![Singer and Actress CoCo Lee Has Died at Age 48](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/vobFSmql/poster.jpg?width=720)

_Published 2023-07-06. Coco Lee, a Hong Kong-born singer and songwriter who had a highly successful career in Asia, has died by suicide, her siblings said July 5. She was 48._


by 

[Koh Ewe](https://time.com/author/koh-ewe/)


## Koh Ewe


Koh Ewe (Koyu) was a reporter for TIME based in Singapore.

Aug 25, 2023 12:30 PM UTC

![China cracks down on televised singing competitions](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt9cafe6510893bfae/698a3fd016d88444cac3c27f/Voice-of-China-Coco-Lee.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=3:2)

A contestant stands on stage during an episode of the popular reality singing TV show 'The Voice of China' in Shanghai, July 4, 2012.

A contestant stands on stage during an episode of the popular reality singing TV show 'The Voice of China' in Shanghai, July 4, 2012.Zhong Fubao—Imaginechina/AP

by 

[Koh Ewe](https://time.com/author/koh-ewe/)


## Koh Ewe


Koh Ewe (Koyu) was a reporter for TIME based in Singapore.

Aug 25, 2023 12:30 PM UTC

For more than a decade, thousands of contestants have taken to the stage of _Sing! China_, hoping to translate their talent to fame, while hundreds of millions have tuned in to be entertained and inspired. It offered a rare representation of equal opportunity and success based on merit alone.

But over the years, viewers grew more and more disillusioned with the reality television show—which was originally known as _The Voice of China_ and modeled after the Dutch singing competition that has been [replicated to great popularity worldwide](https://internationalbroadcasts.fandom.com/wiki/The%5FVoice), including in the U.S. Sporadic complaints of _Sing! China_’s producers playing up dramatic backstories of contestants, rigging outcomes, and overly commercializing the production dogged the Chinese version of the show, though it mostly kept up its high viewership across the country as well as among Chinese communities overseas.

Recently, however, the disillusionment reached a tipping point: audio and video clips [went viral](https://www.asiaone.com/entertainment/i-was-humiliated-stage-late-coco-lees-rant-about-unfair-treatment-sing-china-leaked-audio-clip) last week of the late Hong Kong singer Coco Lee, who served as a judge and mentor on the show last year and [died of suicide last month](https://time.com/6292440/coco-lee-death-suicide-hong-kong-mental-health/), apparently claiming she was bullied by directors and producers; and fans have recirculated past grievances of other contestants and judges, alleging a pattern of mistreatment, exploitation, and unfairness.

Zhejiang Television, the show’s broadcaster, which [saw its stock drop sharply](https://time.com/6306171/voice-of-china-coco-lee-unfair-treatment/) amid the backlash, initially responded by disputing the allegations surrounding Lee, saying leaked clips had been “[maliciously edited](https://weibo.com/5939911735/Nf2SsxVEi).” The company followed up with a statement on Sunday acknowledging that it “[had fallen short of expectations](http://www.zrtg.com/tdetail/13796378.html).” And on Friday, Zhejiang Television announced that it would [suspend airing the show](https://weibo.com/1288369910/NgbBR8wh7?refer%5Fflag=1001030103%5F).

The outrage, particularly over Lee’s experience, with _Sing! China_, experts say, may speak to a broader dissatisfaction with what has come to be an open secret in China: that, ultimately, power pulls the strings—even in a singing competition that is explicitly premised on blind auditions.

“People would think _The Voice of China_ is a place for ordinary people—whoever loves to sing, whoever has the skills of performance,” Xinxin Jiang, associate professor of Chinese media culture at China’s Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, tells TIME. “But then they were just blinded by the \[format\] of the show.” 

“I think ordinary people know that,” she adds, “but they just didn't know how bad it was, until the event of Coco.”

### More From TIME

After the 48-year-old [died by suicide](https://time.com/6292440/coco-lee-death-suicide-hong-kong-mental-health/) in July, her sisters shared that Lee had been dealing with depression for years. Friends also [revealed](https://www.asiaone.com/entertainment/coco-lee-was-secretly-battling-breast-cancer-before-her-death#:~:text=Chinese%2DAmerican%20pop%20diva%20Coco,in%20a%20tribute%20to%20her.) that she had been suffering from cancer in the last few months of her life. When the allegations of mistreatment surfaced, public anger was primarily directed at Zhejiang Television, which already had a [history of celebrities on their shows getting injured](https://www.asiaone.com/entertainment/fann-wong-skydiving-coco-lee-sing-china-godfrey-gao-death-zhejiang-television-accident-variety-show)—[in one case even dying](https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/3040827/chinese-tv-network-apologises-over-death-godfrey-gao).


“People believe that \[Lee’s\] struggles with depression, subsequent deterioration of physical and mental health, and ultimately her death are directly connected to the humiliating experiences she had on this program,” says Han Li, a professor at Rhodes College whose research has focused on Chinese cultural history and contemporary Chinese media. 

“The public also appreciates Coco’s bravery and straightforwardness in exposing the ‘behind-the-scenes’ manipulation and unfairness behind these programs and the underlying capital and power that backed them up,” says Han.

The unprecedented public anger and the resulting suspension of _Sing! China_ marks the end of a remarkable rise and fall of one of the country’s biggest-ever shows. When it first aired in 2012, its blind audition format (contestants perform to judges’ backs) came at a time when the most popular reality shows on television were known to favor contestants with strong connections or good looks. _The Voice of China_ shot to the top of viewership charts [because of its apparent impartiality](https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887323981304579081393861908948): it seemed to allow contestants from every background an equal shot at stardom.


The show drew a reported [120 million TV viewers and 400 million internet users](https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1018106/voice-china-reality-television-show-attracts-more-120-million-viewers) during its first season. By 2016, it [captured over 30% of the national audience](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/sing-china-becomes-ratings-hit-935262/), the highest among shows airing in its time slot and more than five times the show in second place. Even as critical ratings [started to slip in recent years](https://wapbaike.baidu.com/tashuo/browse/content?id=7a42871d68b0fdfd79e93f3f)—from 7.9 out of 10 in its first season to 4.8 in 2021—the show [continued to outperform](https://www.163.com/dy/article/GGJE3HJF0552CYUM.html) its growing number of competitors in the same time slot.

But the show was never free from controversy. Since its inception, it faced speculations of rigging and critiques of overcommercialization. Viewers bemoaned excessive product placements on the show, while judges revealed that they were encouraged to [play up the drama](https://www.globaltimes.cn/content/746314.shtml) or [vote for contestants they didn’t think were good enough](https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/entertainment/na-ying-quits-as-sing-china-mentor-amid-talk-that-the-show-may-be-rigged). In 2021, the show also grappled with an official government crackdown on the entertainment industry and fan culture, which authorities saw as [excessive and problematic](https://www.brookings.edu/articles/why-china-is-cracking-down-on-its-online-fandom-obsessed-youth/).


The renewed attention around Lee’s experience has triggered fresh exposés and accusations, including contestants claiming to have been [coerced to sign exploitative contracts](https://www.dimsumdaily.hk/allegations-arise-that-chinese-singer-na-yings-sister-forced-sing-china-contestants-to-sign-contracts/) to allegations of contestants [paying for a spot in the finals](https://www.hk01.com/%E5%8D%B3%E6%99%82%E5%A8%9B%E6%A8%82/931229/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B%E5%A5%BD%E8%81%B2%E9%9F%B3-%E5%AD%B8%E5%93%A1%E7%82%BA%E6%9D%8E%E7%8E%9F%E7%99%BC%E8%81%B2-%E6%8F%AD%E7%AF%80%E7%9B%AE%E9%BB%91%E5%B9%95-50%E8%90%AC%E6%8F%9B%E5%90%8D%E6%AC%A1%E9%9D%9E%E7%A9%BA%E7%A9%B4%E4%BE%86%E9%A2%A8). A video also gained traction on social media earlier this week of a judge’s chair [seemingly swiveling by itself](https://www.8days.sg/entertainment/asian/wilber-pan-chair-swivel-itself-show-rigged-817731)—the show’s signature move—without the judge pressing the button to make that happen.

“In China a lot of young people are dreaming of becoming celebrities because of the attention and resources. _The Voice of China_ would be advertised as a natural or convenient way to realize their dream. But as they step into the show and get to know more about the show, they would just realize, it's not going to happen,” says Jiang. “The whole mechanism of the show, how it was run and to what degree it was manipulated, is beyond our imagination.”

The public scrutiny of the show since Lee’s death also comes as [broader faith in meritocracy is increasingly being questioned](https://www.sixthtone.com/news/1012764), while authorities seem focused on trying to hide [widening social inequalities](https://time.com/6289559/china-inequality-wealth-flaunting-common-prosperity/) and [diminishing opportunities for economic mobility](https://time.com/6304881/china-stops-publishing-youth-unemployment-statistics/) from public view.


When “individuals perceive that even someone of Coco’s fame, status, and accomplishments could be subjected to such unfair treatment,” says Han, it causes “ordinary citizens” to feel even more “powerless in the face of power.”

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