Editor's note:

China announced an ambitious plan on March 16 to overhaul the nation's soccer management hoping to achieve World Cup recognition, a move observers believe will boost China's soft power. Just as Rome was not built in a day, China also has a long way to go in terms of soccer reform. But the development of Chinese soccer has recently scored a new ally in President Xi Jinping. A self-professed soccer fan, Xi expressed how his interest in soccer began as a child. Globaltimes.cn traces Xi's love of "the beautiful game" through photos.

Xi Jinping (front row, sixth from left), then vice-secretary of the CPC Fujian Provincial Committee, poses for a group photo with Shi Wanchun, Nian Weisi and other Chinese soccer veterans in 1995 in Fuzhou, Fujian Province. Photo: people.com.cn

 

Li Jie, captain of China's national women's soccer team, presents a soccer ball bearing the autographs of players to then vice president Xi Jinping during a visit to their training base in Qinhuangdao, Hebei Province on July 15, 2008. Photo: Xinhua

 

Xi Jinping, then Chinese vice president kicks a soccer ball during a visit to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games stadium in Qinhuangdao, Hebei Province on July 15, 2008. Photo: Xinhua

 

Then Chinese vice president Xi Jinping receives a jersey from soccer club Bayer Leverkusen during his visit to Germany in October of 2009. "After hosting the Olympic Games, China has made a determined effort to perform better in soccer," said Xi, "We can win gold medals in other sports, so we can also achieve good results in soccer, though we may still have a long way to go. In spite of its relatively poor performances in international events, China has first-class soccer fans and a promising market for the sport, so we expect to catch up to other excellent teams." Photo: news.163.com

 

Xi Jinping, then Chinese vice president, meets with South Korean Democratic Party leader Sohn Hak-kyu at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on July 4, 2011. After the meeting, Sohn presented Xi with a soccer ball signed by South Korean star player Park Si-Jung. "I have three wishes. The Chinese team qualifies for the World Cup, for China to host the World Cup, and for China to win it," Xi said. Photo: Xinhua

 

Xi Jinping, then Chinese vice president, shows his soccer skills during a visit to the headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association in Dublin, Ireland in February 2012. Photo: people.com.cn

 

Xi Jinping, then Chinese vice president, poses for a photo with international soccer star David Beckham and basketball star Magic Johnson after attending an NBA game in Los Angeles during his visit to the US on February 18, 2012. Both Beckham and Johnson presented the pictured jerseys to Xi as gifts. Photo: Xinhua

 

Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff during the 5th BRICS Summit in Durban, South Africa on March 27, 2013. When asked about sports, Xi said he is also a fan. "I would like to congratulate Brazil in hosting the 2014 World Cup," Xi said. "Paul the octopus amazed us during the last World Cup, so do we have another fortune-telling octopus for the Brazil World Cup? I also wish Brazil the best of luck." Photo: Xinhua

 

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan arrive in Mexico City, Mexico for a state visit on June 4, 2013. In a later speech, Xi said, "I am a soccer fan. The Chinese soccer team has been trying hard but only qualified once for the World Cup. Bora Milutinovic led the Chinese team, who once was head coach of Mexican national soccer team." Photo: Xinhua

 

Chinese President Xi Jinping visits members of China's children's soccer team during their training at Olympiastadion in Berlin, Germany on March 29, 2014. "Training here is important for you," said Xi, "it will be of great help to further develop Chinese youth soccer. I have faith in you all and believe you will be excellent soccer players in the future. This is a dream of mine." Photo: Xinhua

 

President Xi Jinping talks with Chinese Olympians at the 22nd Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia on February 7, 2014. "We are looking forward to seeing what changes your leadership brings," Xi said to Cai Zhenhua, who was then the newly-elected president of the Chinese Football Association. Photo: Xinhua

 

President Xi Jinping talks with Britain's Prince William at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 2, 2015. Xi said to Prince William that China would like to learn from English soccer teams and other competitive teams all over the world. Xi mentioned that China and the UK have already worked together in the sport, including cooperation between the UK's Premier League and the Chinese Super League. Photo: The Beijing News

 

Graphics: Li You/Globaltimes.cn