An overall reform plan to boost the development of football in China "has been issued by the State Council General Office," according to Zhang Yunbi of the CHINA DAILY. The plan, issued on March 16, stated that the reform and development of football in China "is an important component to build a sports power." The changes should be "issues oriented" and the system "needs innovation," the plan added. It requires the China FA "to terminate its affiliation to General Administration of Sport of China, and the Association will have no administrative ranks inside." The plan said that the sports lottery "will be used to increase investment" in boosting football, and two more football training centers at the national level will be established. The total number of elementary and middle schools featuring football "will increase" from the current figure of around 5,000 to 20,000 in '20 and 50,000 in '25 (CHINA DAILY, 3/16). BLOOMBERG reported under a football game plan with "Chinese characteristics," investment in football clubs and tournaments will be encouraged. The statement said the government will take advantage of its socialist system to "comprehensively realize soccer’s social values and functions." The statement said, "General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly ordered that we must make up our mind to improve our performance in soccer" (BLOOMBERG, 3/16). XINHUA reported goals "are set in the plan that include the women's team returning to the world top class as a mid-term goal and the men's side joining the world leading powers in the long run." The plan said, "Revitalizing soccer is a must for building China into a sports powerhouse and also the earnest hope of the people." According to the plan, the reforms "involve almost every aspect of the sport, including the professional clubs, professional leagues," the national teams and grassroots football. The plan "attached much importance" to grassroots football and the development of young talents. Football "will be added into compulsory curriculum in elementary and middles schools across the country" (XINHUA, 3/16).
