Sino-French Cooperation: Taishan U17 Overseas Training Camp

Reported by Chen Yong On November 9, the China Xiwang team, assembled mainly from the Shandong Taishan U17 squad, flew from Beijing to France on flight CA933. They will use the Auxerre Football Club as their base for roughly five months of overseas training. Their main competition will be the seven-round affiliated events of the French Football Federation’s Hope Challenge, supplemented by one or two other quality friendly matches weekly.

This overseas training plan is also a crucial part of China’s current core strategic elite youth training system. At the National Football Work Conference on July 31, State Councilor Chen Yiqin emphasized using the national youth training system construction as a strategic breakthrough, aiming to build a comprehensive, high-quality football talent, training, competition, and governance system, and firmly pursue a new path for the revitalization and development of Chinese football.

The core of the national youth training system is the elite youth training framework, with overseas programs being a vital component. This involves multiple levels: at the national team level, all Chinese national teams will fully participate in overseas competitions, including the return of the China youth team to the Toulon Tournament and the youth team competing again in the Montaigu Cup. Additionally, the Chinese Football Association collaborates with the German FA on the “Dreaming of the Bundesliga” project. At the club level, this French overseas training plan is notable for its long duration, structured competition, and strong opponents, serving as a model. Furthermore, the CFA’s overseas initiatives also include individual player overseas training opportunities.

The China Xiwang team consists of 15 players from the Shandong Taishan U17 squad and 2 coaches, with Cui Peng as head coach. The Shandong Taishan U17 team (born in 2008) won the 2023 China Youth Cup U15 boys’ championship. Key players from this squad advanced to the Shandong Taishan U18 team to compete in the U19 boys’ category of the China Youth Cup this year, securing the championship. These players also participated in the men’s U18 group at the National Games, finishing as runners-up after a penalty shootout. Moreover, the Shandong Taishan U17 team is slated to compete in the 2026 Three Major Ball Sports Games men’s U18 category. Eligible players also include mainstays from the Shandong Taishan U16 team (born in 2009) such as Li Junpeng and He Sifan, but these 2009-born players are currently preparing for the U17 Asian Cup qualifiers and thus have not been selected for this trip.

The day before departure, Li Kemin, Chairman of the Chinese Football Association, visited the team’s hotel to encourage the young players. On the day of departure, CFA Vice Chairman Wan Jianbin, CFA Secretary-General Shen Rui, Auxerre Football Club Board Chairman Zhou Yunjie, and Second-level Inspector Sun Zhaoliang from the Shandong Sports Bureau all delivered messages of support to the team and players.

CFA Vice Chairman Wan Jianbin

This overseas training initiative is jointly promoted by Auxerre Football Club, the Chinese Football Association, the Chinese Football Federation, and the Shandong Sports Bureau, with full support from Xiwang Energy Drink. At the send-off ceremony, Wang Dong, a representative of the Xiwang Energy Drink brand, presented the “China Xiwang Team” flag to the team captain. Head coach Cui Peng expressed gratitude for the full support from all parties and stated: “The Shandong Taishan U17 team consistently adheres to a high-intensity, fast-paced training model. This trip to Europe allows us to truly immerse ourselves in the French youth training system and experience the intensity and pace of French youth competitions. This is an invaluable opportunity for training and learning, and for me personally, a great chance for growth and improvement.”

The China Xiwang team will first participate in the affiliated events of the French Football Federation’s Hope Challenge. The Hope Challenge is a high-quality, informal competition initiated by the French Football Federation for first-team substitutes and reserve players aged 18 to 23, focusing on young players entering professional clubs. Auxerre is placed in Group B alongside seven other clubs including Strasbourg, Lens, Le Havre, Paris Saint-Germain, Rennes, Caen, and Nantes. According to the plan, China Xiwang will compete against the youth teams of these seven clubs in Auxerre’s group, with opponents generally being slightly younger than the Hope Challenge players. In addition, China Xiwang will participate in more invitational matches against other French teams, averaging one to two matches per week.

Founded in 1905, Auxerre Football Club is a historically prestigious youth training powerhouse in French football, having developed world-class stars such as Cantona and Sissoko. In 2016, the Origen Group invested in Auxerre and successfully brought the club back to Ligue 1, making it the most stable Chinese-funded team in the five major European leagues. In recent years, Auxerre has focused on strengthening cooperation with Chinese football, conducting multiple batches of youth training and coach exchange programs. On October 21, the Chinese Football Federation held talks in Beijing with the French Football Federation and Auxerre to explore new paths for open development in professional leagues.