Argentina–China Bilateral Sports Cooperation Agreement

A Historical Milestone in International Football Development

In 2016, former President of Argentina Mauricio Macri, alongside then-Secretary of Sports Carlos Mac Allister, formalized a historic bilateral agreement with the President of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping, and authorities from the Chinese Ministry of Sports. The primary objective was to establish a best-practice model focused on the comprehensive development of football.

This project was spearheaded and operationally coordinated by key sports industry partners, including IMG China and PlayFE, represented by Fernando Martínez.

Key Program Pillars

• Training and Talent Scouting: Argentine coaches were deployed to Beijing University to conduct technical training clinics, methodological instruction, and talent scouting.
• Immersion and High Performance: Hundreds of young Chinese footballers traveled to Argentina for intensive training programs and adaptation to the competitive South American playing style.

Impact and Legacy

What began as a strategic alliance in 2016 has evolved into a long-term success story:

• International Projection: Several young participants from the exchange successfully transitioned into professional football and earned spots on the China National Football Team.
• Operational Continuity: The program has maintained uninterrupted activity, with the most recent delegation completing its training cycle in Argentina in late 2023.
• Future Exchanges: Today, new rounds of exchanges continue to be coordinated to further strengthen the sporting and cultural bridge between both nations.