The Office for National Youth Campus Football said that China already had 13, 381“special football schools” in 2016, and that 69 counties were piloting programs for football in schools.

Aimed at training young players and developing their talent, the government's latest plan is to advance China's ability to compete globally. The office predicts the number of football schools will have increased to 50, 000 by 2025.

Wang Dengfeng, director of the Physical Education, Health and Art Department under the Ministry of Education and Vice Chairman of the China Football Association, was quoted as saying that football experts are designing curriculum for more than 360 training programs in primary and secondary schools.

Xinhua reported that the MOE and five other central government departments were putting together a task force to ensure that football advances quickly in the country's schools.

President Xi Jinping is also a well-known football fan, who has repeatedly voiced his support for the sport's development in China.