Gov't Says It Wants China to Be Soccer Giant by 2050

(Beijing) – The central government has unveiled plans for developing China into an international soccer powerhouse by 2050.

The plan published on April 11 was drawn up by an inter-ministry office under the cabinet, the National Development and Reform Commission and two other central government agencies, and contains both medium- and long-term goals.

Under the plans, the government wants the men's team to develop into a top Asian squad by 2030 and for the women's team to become a world-class side by that year.