Jay Chou. [Photo provided to China Daily]

After a long wait, the Taiwan singer launched his latest single, Won't Cry, and a surprise video at 11 pm on Sept 16. By 3:30 pm the next day, the song, written by Chou and Vincent Fang, and which also features Taiwan pop-rock band Mayday's lead vocalist Ashin, had taken 20 million yuan ($2.81 million), a record for digital music sales in China, with each download costing 3 yuan. Since Chou, 40, released his debut album Jay in 2001, he has become one of Mandarin pop's biggest stars. His blend of rhythm and blues, love ballads and rap also often includes classical music and traditional Chinese instruments. In July 2016, he released his 14th studio album, Bedtime Stories.