FC Bayern today joined political representatives from the Chinese metropolis Shenzhen at the FCB Erlebniswelt to announce the opening of the FC Bayern Football School Shenzhen.
The partnership with the city-owned Shenzhen Investment Holdings Company and the agency China Sports Futurity covers an ongoing exchange of experiences, regular and intense visits by FC Bayern youth coaches and the assistance and training of Chinese coaches and players in Munich. Further activities by the German record champions are planned in Shenzhen, one of the world's fastest-growing cities. FC Bayern take on seven-time Champions League winners AC Milan in Shenzhen on 22 July as part of the 2017 Audi Summer Tour.
FC Bayern München AG board member for internationalisation and strategy Jörg Wacker commented in front of numerous Chinese media representatives: "Our goal is clear-cut. We aim to reinforce and promote FC Bayern's presence and values in China in the coming years. Our FC Bayern Football School Shenzhen is a marker for the implementation of our international strategy in China."
FC Bayern brand ambassador Hasan Salihamidžić said: "After launching the FC Bayern Football School Qingdao, we're now proud to be active in Shenzhen. Chinese football has enormous potential, and we want to play our part in supporting and promoting the development by means of our knowledge and our experience in the youth sector."
Hu Guobin, director of the city-owned Assets Supervision und Administration Commission in Shenzhen, thanked the club for the partnership in his address, speaking of a great gain for Shenzhen: "Not only does the FC Bayern Football School Shenzhen strengthen the friendly relationship between Germany and China, it will also play a decisive part in terms of supporting the training of local youths and coaches, taking it to another level."
The metropolis of 12 million is located near Hong Kong. Shenzhen was the first area in China to be declared a special economic zone in 1980. It went on to become one of China's most economically powerful cities with the highest income per capita nationwide. The electronic and telecommunication industries are the pillars of the local economy.
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