Britney Spears considering China tour

SHANGHAI, China (AP) _ The Britney Zone could include China. <br><br>Chinese promoters are talking with Britney Spears' managers about her performing in China later this year, a promoter said Wednesday.

Wednesday, March 31st 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

SHANGHAI, China (AP) _ The Britney Zone could include China.

Chinese promoters are talking with Britney Spears' managers about her performing in China later this year, a promoter said Wednesday.

China's Culture Ministry has yet to approve Spears' appearances, said Wang Enqiang, an agent for Beijing Poly Culture and Art Co. Ltd.. ``If approved, it would be one of the top performers ever to appear in China,'' Wang told The Associated Press. He wouldn't give other details pending ministry approval.

There was no immediate comment on the talks from the singer, who's touring North America to back her latest album, ``In The Zone.'' With more than 54 million records sold worldwide, Spears would be one of the biggest international pop stars to play here since the communist state's establishment in 1949.

Rising incomes and relaxed social and economic strictures have fed an appetite for foreign performances, though many concerts here are believed to lose money.

Pop songstress Mariah Carey became one of the biggest stars to play China with a pair of concerts in Shanghai last November. Aging British hard rockers Deep Purple were scheduled to play Beijing and Shanghai this week.

The Rolling Stones were slated to play Shanghai and Beijing last year, but the shows were canceled amid the regional outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS.

Wang said members of Spears' production team planned to visit China in mid-April for more talks.