As part of his state visit to Britain, Chinese president Xi Jinping is to visit Manchester on Friday. He is going to visit the Etihad stadium of Manchester City, snubbing their rivals Manchester United. To ensure that the Reds do not feel excluded, some representatives of Manchester United will be invited to their rival’s ground during the visit.
As part of his state visit to Britain, Chinese president Xi Jinping is to visit Manchester on Friday. He is going to visit the Etihad stadium of Manchester City, snubbing their rivals Manchester United. To ensure that the Reds do not feel excluded, some representatives of Manchester United will be invited to their rival’s ground during the visit.
China has good relations with Sheikh Mansour, the owner of Manchester City, and his Abu Dhabi Investment Authority. One of China’s best-known footballers, Sun Jihai, spent six years in City colours. He is to be inducted into the National Football Museum’s Hall of Fame.
British officials are hoping to boost football’s prospects in the world’s most populated country. Unlike his predecessors, who were more keen on basketball, Mr Xi is football mad. At the Etihad he will watch a game between Manchester City’s women’s team and Wuhan Girls.
The Chinese national football team has continued to disappoint. It is ranked 97th in the world by Fifa. China has decided to list 8,627 primary and middle schools as ‘special football campuses’ where every student will play at least once a week.
Britain is missing no opportunity to please China and on his recent tour of China, prime minister designate (in his eyes) George Osborne pledged £3m to help to train school children.