Chinese President Xi Jinping is "serious about football, and about a diverse multifaceted Chinese economy," according to Andrew Brennan of FORBES. Xi’s strategy wants 20,000 football training centers and 70,000 pitches in place by '20, while the men’s national team should be among the best in Asia by '30, and the women’s football team should be a "world-class team." Xi’s football strategy is "not only focused on positive national image," but to create a Chinese sports economy worth $850B; twice the current estimated value of the entire global sports economy. The Chinese government’s "opaque transparency" means we do not know how much they are "spending towards Xi’s grand plan," but the regional governments and state-backed organizations such as China Media Capital -- which bought 13% of Man City for $378.5M in December -- are contributing. Positives for Xi’s "hopeful strategy that could solidify Chinese oligarchical commitment are that Chinese football match attendance is already on par with Italy and France." However, "significant socio-cultural barriers exist," as Chinese parents do not see football "as a profession." Chinese fan culture "is also needed." China "is clever," and its focus on football is also "another avenue to exert global political influence." China’s "Stadium Diplomacy" is already an example of cultural diplomacy through building Chinese-funded stadiums, using low interest loans, as gifts, or in exchange for better national relations throughout the African continent, the Caribbean and the South Pacific Islands. China sees itself as a "waking superpower, and just as a dragon has no equal, so too does China hope to surpass the global sports economy, European football attraction, and hoist a World Cup trophy." Can China "be a serious footballing power?" Yes, as long as the "political will stays firm" (FORBES, 4/18).
