Chinese young footballers in London

at the embassy

Chinese youth footballers were greeted at the Chinese embassy in London last month as they start their introduction to the ‘beautiful game’ in Britain.

Minister Ma Hui met the youth football delegation led by Tang Jiuhong, Deputy Secretary-General of China Soong Ching Ling Foundation (SCLF), on 29^th November. The delegation is sponsored by SCLF and Jaguar Land Rover China Youth Dream Fund.

Minister Ma told the young footballers that the first Chinese Embassy in the UK was built in 1877 and that Britain was the first major Western country to recognise New China.

This year marks the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations at the chargé d'affaires levels. Over the last 65 years, the development of China–UK relations was generally smooth. In 2015, President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to the UK, ushering in the ‘Golden Era’ of China–UK relations. When President Xi visited Manchester City Football Club, he expressed the hope that China and Britain would strengthen sports exchanges and co-operation including football, and promote friendly exchanges between the two countries.

Britain is the birthplace of modern football and a football powerhouse, with many outstanding football clubs and superstars. There is a huge potential for football exchanges and co-operation between Britain and China. The visit and training of the youth football delegation in the UK will help to promote sports exchanges between the two countries, and to enhance mutual understanding and friendship. Ma Hui hoped that all the young players would make full use of their visit in the UK, training earnestly and communicating actively to improve their football skills and broaden their visions, so as to contribute to China–UK friendship and the strengthening of football in China.

Deputy Secretary-General Tang thanked the Chinese Embassy for its strong support for the Soong Ching Ling Foundation and youth football, saying that the delegation not only felt the warmth of the motherland, but also had a lively lesson on modern history and patriotic education at the Chinese Embassy. The young players would engage fully during this visit to improve their overall quality, show the good images of the Chinese youth, pass on the positive energy of China, and promote the friendship and mutual learning between the youths of the two countries.

In May 2014, the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation and Jaguar Land Rover China jointly established the Chinese Youth Dream Fund to support the growth and development of teenagers and children. Since 2014, the Fund has organised dozens of youth football fans to conduct football exchange training in the UK every year. This delegation consisted of more than 30 young players from Shanghai, who will go on to the Tottenham Hotspur Football Club youth training base and UK Middle Schools to conduct training exchanges.