Asia to host its own 'Eurovision'

Countries across Asia are to battle it out in their own version of the Eurovision Song Contest, it has been announced.

The competition will get underway next year and up to 15 nations will be involved. Asiavision Song Contest organisers said "the universal language of music will help bring people closer together".

Countries taking part include India, China, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan, Pakistan, the Philippines, Cambodia, South Korea, Taiwan, Laos, Macau, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Asiavision head Andreas Gerlach said the competition's format is "suited" to the region.

"Its people love popular music and have strong national pride. The song contest is a friendly competition between cultures," he added.