:00:00. > :00:00.All the stories at the top of the hour.
:00:00. > :00:00.Now on BBC News, it's time for
:00:00. > :00:15.Chinese Football: Building a Dynasty.
:00:16. > :00:19.The excitement and the crowds are building.
:00:20. > :00:28.Now, recently, this season, it's gone crazy.
:00:29. > :00:33.Big-name players are signing to China's top clubs.
:00:34. > :00:35.The only two not coming to China in this window is Cristiano
:00:36. > :00:39.Would you like Ronaldo to maybe one day play in China?
:00:40. > :00:45.The search is on for China's next generation of footballing talent.
:00:46. > :00:48.Will you play football for China?
:00:49. > :00:59.We visit one of China's first specialist football schools.
:01:00. > :01:04.And meet the man tasked with creating China's
:01:05. > :01:12.They have 100 million children under six in this country.
:01:13. > :01:15.If you kind of get it right, you would have to imagine you will
:01:16. > :01:22.We discover how the president's World Cup ambitions are at the heart
:01:23. > :01:30.of modern China's political and economic vision for the future.
:01:31. > :01:35.China has a long history of building on an impressive scale,
:01:36. > :01:39.especially at its most famous landmark, the Great Wall
:01:40. > :01:43.was fortified by the Ming dynasty to protect and isolate China.
:01:44. > :01:48.Today, the country is looking beyond its borders.
:01:49. > :01:50.When you think of China you think of politics, food, culture
:01:51. > :01:52.and history, its rampant recent economic growth,
:01:53. > :01:55.but now China wants to build a new dynasty,
:01:56. > :02:18.China is changing, with the rhythm of football taking hold.
:02:19. > :02:21.A growing fan base and love for the sport is spreading fast
:02:22. > :02:25.across the most populous nation on earth.
:02:26. > :02:28.The passion and support of the fans is matched by fierce competitive
:02:29. > :02:34.ambition on the pitch, and that stretches
:02:35. > :02:37.beyond the touchline, with China wanting not only the best
:02:38. > :02:42.league, but the best national team in the world.
:02:43. > :02:44.Sven-Goran Eriksson has been one of the top coaches in world football
:02:45. > :02:51.He has worked in China over the past three years and insists
:02:52. > :02:54.there is no end in sight to the game's rapid growth.
:02:55. > :02:56.Three years ago it was not like this.
:02:57. > :03:05.But now, recently, this season, it's gone crazy.
:03:06. > :03:10.It is absolutely the right time to be in China in football.
:03:11. > :03:12.The big foreign names, they were not really
:03:13. > :03:21.Only when they were getting older, on the way down.
:03:22. > :03:24.But now, even when they are at their peak, they are
:03:25. > :03:35.One of the reasons of course is money.
:03:36. > :03:37.Jiangsu Suning is one of the biggest spending teams
:03:38. > :03:41.Five of the six most expensive lowball deals in the last transfer
:03:42. > :03:44.When Ramires left Chelsea and Liverpool lost out on Brazilian
:03:45. > :03:50.forward Alex Teixera, the world sat up and took notice.
:03:51. > :03:55.I think huge names, big names are here.
:03:56. > :03:57.But I think next season, maybe earlier, even
:03:58. > :04:07.That would be even more exciting, of course.
:04:08. > :04:11.If that's going to happen, I'm not sure.
:04:12. > :04:18.Romain Woo is one of China's leading sports agents,
:04:19. > :04:20.representing 50 leading footballers and coaches.
:04:21. > :04:28.It is going crazy right now, really crazy.
:04:29. > :04:31.We had a saying like, the only two players not coming
:04:32. > :04:36.to China in this window were Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi.
:04:37. > :04:38.Other names, it is all highly possible.
:04:39. > :04:41.I know most of the big agents in Europe.
:04:42. > :04:44.They are trying to push big players to China.
:04:45. > :04:46.If they are not having a good time in Europe,
:04:47. > :04:49.because clearly, the salary is there.
:04:50. > :04:53.We are offering in my opinion way too much, but this might be the only
:04:54. > :04:59.Players are undoubtedly attracted to China by the big-money
:05:00. > :05:03.But one of the league's star talents insists he is here
:05:04. > :05:11.TRANSLATION: At the moment China is developing football
:05:12. > :05:17.It is the best moment for football in China.
:05:18. > :05:23.This promises to be a golden age for Chinese football,
:05:24. > :05:25.given the investment pouring into its top sides.
:05:26. > :05:33.Attendances are up and fans are eager to play their part.
:05:34. > :05:43.Not the foreign stars but useful in our team.
:05:44. > :05:55.Would you like Ronaldo to maybe one day play in China?
:05:56. > :06:04.As time passes the professional league in China grows.
:06:05. > :06:07.The quality of the football is getting better, with greater
:06:08. > :06:12.They may not have the history of some of the more established
:06:13. > :06:14.leagues, but being on football's new frontier is seen
:06:15. > :06:21.The league is in line with the country's overall ambitions.
:06:22. > :06:24.It is not just about sporting success.
:06:25. > :06:43.There is a political vision being put into action.
:06:44. > :06:51.It is here in Tiananmen Square that China's political power is centred.
:06:52. > :07:01.It has been the location for some of the darker moments
:07:02. > :07:03.in the country's past, but President Xi Jinping is firmly
:07:04. > :07:07.The wants it to be a global leader in football, hosting
:07:08. > :07:11.He also wants China to create a huge sports industry, one that will help
:07:12. > :07:14.The President's love of football was apparent during his visit
:07:15. > :07:19.Famously posing with Manchester City's Sergio Aguero for a selfie.
:07:20. > :07:26.His master plan, announced early this year, will aim to have
:07:27. > :07:36.50 million of its citizens playing football by 2020.
:07:37. > :07:38.China will build or renovate 6000 stadiums and pitches and 50,000
:07:39. > :07:40.schools specialising in football will be established
:07:41. > :07:47.As part of the plan, the president has his eyes on the World Cup,
:07:48. > :07:50.both in terms of qualification and one day hosting it.
:07:51. > :07:53.The head of the Chinese Super League believes staging the tournament
:07:54. > :07:58.TRANSLATION: To host a World Cup is really a festival of fans.
:07:59. > :08:01.It really shows the country's capability to host
:08:02. > :08:07.It's only possible if the country is developed sufficiently
:08:08. > :08:08.and has the financial stability and facilities.
:08:09. > :08:12.It's already hosted the Summer Olympics and will host
:08:13. > :08:21.Because Qatar is hosting the World Cup finals in Asia in 2022,
:08:22. > :08:27.It is 14 years since China's men's team made their only appearance
:08:28. > :08:32.They lost every game and failed to score.
:08:33. > :08:36.The country's women have a better track record, but the hope now
:08:37. > :08:38.is a new generation of talent will take both teams
:08:39. > :08:42.to their respective World Cups on a regular basis.
:08:43. > :08:46.TRANSLATION: I was in the World Cup back in 2002, in Japan and Korea.
:08:47. > :08:50.It was an important moment for the popularity of soccer but now
:08:51. > :08:53.we have to make the foundation stronger, so in the future we can be
:08:54. > :08:58.a powerful soccer nation and go to the World Cup regularly.
:08:59. > :09:01.When the President sets the goals and ambitions for the nation,
:09:02. > :09:04.he speaks for all of us, and therefore we all want to work
:09:05. > :09:11.Success on the pitch is the rallying cry for both
:09:12. > :09:16.The foundations of that dream though are taking place in
:09:17. > :09:52.Two hours' drive east of Beijing is the rural farming town famed for its
:09:53. > :09:58.peaches, which could soon be as famous as football. It his home to
:09:59. > :10:06.visit elementary, that lies in the shadow of China's great Wall.
:10:07. > :10:14.Chinese education has up until now been largely focused on academic
:10:15. > :10:18.success. Physical health has been an important part of the school
:10:19. > :10:25.curriculum with team sport and especially football not featuring as
:10:26. > :10:29.much. But now there is a realisation that if China is to succeed it must
:10:30. > :10:36.coached children at a young age. These six and seven-year-olds are
:10:37. > :10:38.pioneers, attending one of the first designated football schools.
:10:39. > :10:45.Providing a glimpse of the President's ocean of a footballing
:10:46. > :10:53.future. -- vision. The unlikely American forging a new path for the
:10:54. > :10:58.people'srepublic is Tom, a cult figure in Japan spreading coaching
:10:59. > :11:04.techniques through comics, TV shows as an extensive network of
:11:05. > :11:10.academies. Now Japan's neighbours and rivals have headhunted him. What
:11:11. > :11:16.has happened to China in the past years, 2008 they came from a
:11:17. > :11:21.successful Olympics, winning more gold medals than the United States
:11:22. > :11:25.for the first time. The economy surpassed Japan. They are putting
:11:26. > :11:29.rockets into space. Everything is going good but they cannot beat
:11:30. > :11:34.countries like Thailand in a football match. Politically it is a
:11:35. > :11:40.sport that if you want to be the world's best in anything, surely
:11:41. > :11:46.football is one of them. In collaboration with the Chinese
:11:47. > :11:51.Ministry of education, he has recorded a coaching slots that will
:11:52. > :11:55.run daily on TVs in every classroom in the country. He is also
:11:56. > :12:00.conducting a 64 city tour to promote it. There is no short cut to
:12:01. > :12:05.producing a strong football culture. It starts with the kids. There are
:12:06. > :12:09.100 million children under the age of six in this country so it is
:12:10. > :12:13.almost like if you kind of get it right you have to imagine you will
:12:14. > :12:17.develop world-class footballers. These children are taking part in a
:12:18. > :12:24.coaching session at a private academy. Such scenes might be common
:12:25. > :12:29.elsewhere, not so much in China. That may be changing, due in part to
:12:30. > :12:34.a shift in social attitudes. In the past many parents believed sport to
:12:35. > :12:39.be detrimental to academic studies. It is a view that took root with the
:12:40. > :12:47.advent of China's one child policy. Slowly, attitudes are changing.
:12:48. > :12:53.Parents are increasingly sending their children to be trained by the
:12:54. > :12:58.best foreign coaches. And the kids want to play. Mostly. Do you like
:12:59. > :13:05.playing football? Yes! Who are your favourite players? Lionel Messi.
:13:06. > :13:12.What is your favourite team in England? Chelsea. Do you think you
:13:13. > :13:17.will play a World Cup? Yes! No! LAUGHTER.
:13:18. > :13:25.All of you apart from him? Good luck. There are plenty who do want
:13:26. > :13:30.to represent their country. This government 's sports complex on the
:13:31. > :13:34.outskirts of Shanghai is home to some of China's best athletes from
:13:35. > :13:39.some of them or recognised Olympic sports like a rowing and swimming.
:13:40. > :13:45.China wants football to be another elite discipline. Fittingly, the
:13:46. > :13:49.Shanghai team also train here and it's young players are immersed in
:13:50. > :13:53.an atmosphere of competitive excellence. With initiatives in
:13:54. > :13:58.place of the youngest level the Chinese FA are providing a pathway
:13:59. > :14:01.for youth development, limiting foreign players to five per
:14:02. > :14:12.professional squad, ensuring opportunities for home-grown talent.
:14:13. > :14:17.Every time I go there, I go there. This is the club's youth coach and
:14:18. > :14:20.assistant manager, moving to China from Denmark five years ago and
:14:21. > :14:27.seeing first-hand how the game has grown here. The intensity and focus
:14:28. > :14:33.of the Chinese young players he believes is in the country's favour.
:14:34. > :14:36.In Denmark we ask how we create hunger in paradise? We have a nice
:14:37. > :14:41.system but how do we create hunger to train every day. I asked the
:14:42. > :14:48.Chinese plays the opposite, there is no paradise, this is their chance.
:14:49. > :14:52.They are here with their mission of creating a career, not only for
:14:53. > :14:57.themselves, in Chinese culture when you grow up you have to take care of
:14:58. > :15:01.your parents and pay your parent's pension. China knows it cannot
:15:02. > :15:07.create a football culture overnight. It will take a balance of time and
:15:08. > :15:10.money. The necessary steps are being taken part in pursuit of the sports
:15:11. > :15:28.industry, there are some things China can buy.
:15:29. > :15:38.The other aspect of China's football dream is that relating to economic.
:15:39. > :15:41.China's growth so far has been driven by exports, manufacturing,
:15:42. > :15:46.commerce, but a service industry and sport as part of that has lagged
:15:47. > :15:51.behind. The President's football initiative is rectifying that
:15:52. > :15:55.balance, about China looking to the future and using sport as a driver,
:15:56. > :16:00.but to do that it has to build a sports industry within its borders
:16:01. > :16:04.and also it has to look overseas. Some of the big businesses that own
:16:05. > :16:08.Chinese Super League teams are expanding and buying up stakes in a
:16:09. > :16:13.number of Europe's most famous names like Atletico Madrid and Manchester
:16:14. > :16:20.City. One of Britain's oldest teams, Aston Villa, is now also in the
:16:21. > :16:26.hands of Chinese investors. There is another thing we have to learn from.
:16:27. > :16:36.The English Football League. We need to understand the culture, the whole
:16:37. > :16:42.system. That is something the Chinese clubs here, they need to
:16:43. > :16:47.learn from. Corporate ambition is driving Chinese economic growth,
:16:48. > :16:51.with its impact visible in cities like Shanghai. The country's
:16:52. > :16:58.industrial giants are intensely interested in football, hoping its
:16:59. > :17:07.lustre will rub off. Want a group signed a sponsorship deal with Fifa,
:17:08. > :17:14.backing Ali Baba hacking the World Cup. China has an enormous market
:17:15. > :17:17.and we probably have the largest number of fans of the world so it
:17:18. > :17:27.makes sense there are commercial opportunities here. At this stadium,
:17:28. > :17:31.home to Beijing, one of China's best supported teams, we meet the club's
:17:32. > :17:36.former general manager. Is there a chance we could see Cristiano
:17:37. > :17:41.Ronaldo playing for Beijing? Some of the most famous players have visited
:17:42. > :17:45.but for those in the industry, the growth and economic song not in
:17:46. > :17:53.dispute, but there is an acceptance that Europe has a massive head
:17:54. > :18:00.start. TRANSLATION: The projection is by 2020 the total sports industry
:18:01. > :18:04.in China will be worth about $800 million and that the investment into
:18:05. > :18:10.the professional game is $750 million. In the next years I think
:18:11. > :18:13.we will see more investment and increased international attention
:18:14. > :18:17.for the Chinese Super League. I do not think we can compete with La
:18:18. > :18:24.Liga, Bundesliga or the English Premier League, but I am confident
:18:25. > :18:27.we see a lot of progress. Leicester City's fairy tale triumph in the
:18:28. > :18:33.Premier League has added to the competition's global marketability
:18:34. > :18:36.and popularity. It is watched globally by an audience measured in
:18:37. > :18:43.billions and has the revenues to match. Its executive chairman is
:18:44. > :18:50.perhaps best placed to assess China's prospects. He does not see
:18:51. > :18:54.it as a direct rival. The Chinese economy, and culturally, they are in
:18:55. > :18:59.a transition phase where they want to embrace and do things that are if
:19:00. > :19:06.you like with outward look to the rest of the world and I think
:19:07. > :19:12.whether it is in trade terms, social terms, in sporting terms, they want
:19:13. > :19:17.to be big players on the world stage and there is no bigger sporting
:19:18. > :19:23.stage than the football stage. They are looking at 30, 50 year horizons.
:19:24. > :19:28.We struggle to see past a season here. Challengers will need to be
:19:29. > :19:32.faced. Allegations of corruption have haunted Chinese football in the
:19:33. > :19:42.past. Avoiding future mistakes will be crucial. Cameron Wilson has lived
:19:43. > :19:46.in Shanghai for over a decade and runs a Chinese football website. He
:19:47. > :19:52.is more sceptical than most, given the league's at times difficult
:19:53. > :19:59.history. I am surprised they can make a plan for 2050 because it is
:20:00. > :20:01.difficult to plan for anything in 2050 never mind something
:20:02. > :20:06.historically that has been chaotic like Chinese football. It is a
:20:07. > :20:12.different beast from Europe. It is difficult to explain it simply. For
:20:13. > :20:19.anyone to make much sense of it at the moment. It is in a transitory
:20:20. > :20:24.point. It is a moment in time in China. There is a sense of optimism
:20:25. > :20:28.around football. It is the new fascination. There is an atmosphere
:20:29. > :20:35.and passion surrounding the game that is unique. This generation of
:20:36. > :20:44.Chinese children will grow up with football. There is a sense of both
:20:45. > :20:48.hope and expectation. The President's ambitions represent the
:20:49. > :20:52.dreams of all Chinese people and everybody involved in Chinese
:20:53. > :20:59.football. As long as the political will is there it will stay 100%. The
:21:00. > :21:06.only thing that can change is if they change direction politically.
:21:07. > :21:13.TRANSLATION: To qualify or host the World Cup, a dream shared by the
:21:14. > :21:16.Chinese public. I hope the day comes as soon as possible. I am 60 and
:21:17. > :21:22.most of my generation are big football fans. I think the next five
:21:23. > :21:28.years it should be OK but after five years, though one knows. We wish and
:21:29. > :21:34.hope with this money, our youth system should be ready after these
:21:35. > :21:39.three or five years, otherwise we spend money for nothing. It is good
:21:40. > :21:44.they have a positive plan and idea where they want to go. Even if you
:21:45. > :21:49.do not meet the aim you will get a positive outcome. And winning a
:21:50. > :21:56.World Cup? Why not? But not the next World Cup. It will take 15-20 years
:21:57. > :22:00.at least. The answer to me is yes and the question is, when? The
:22:01. > :22:04.professional league is well organised with a lot of investment.
:22:05. > :22:10.At the top end they are doing well. Where we need to focus is on the
:22:11. > :22:14.young kids. China is modernising at a rapid pace. The forbidden city is
:22:15. > :22:19.part of its history but football fits the vision for the future.
:22:20. > :22:24.Other countries have tried to spark a similar process but are still
:22:25. > :22:28.trying. In China everything is in place to succeed. The political
:22:29. > :22:33.will, star players and business backing and a growing fan base.
:22:34. > :22:38.Patients will also be needed. Given population close to billion, China's
:22:39. > :23:11.this problem will be picking its best in 11 players.
:23:12. > :23:18.We are heading in the right direction, losing the severe
:23:19. > :23:24.thunderstorms we had in some places yesterday. Showers around today but
:23:25. > :23:25.by tomorrow most will be dry and fine. I mentioned showers today, not