French affair for Shenzhen

Paris Saint-Germain's players pose with the trophy as they celebrate winning the French Trophy of Champions (Trophee des Champions) football match between Monaco (ASM) and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the Grand Stade in Tangiers, Morocco, on July 29, 2017. [Photo/IC]

The 2018 and 2019 Champions Trophy, or Trophee des Champions, will be held in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, officials announced on Thursday.

This year's game will take place on Aug 4 and will be the second time that the annual event, which is contested between the Ligue 1 and French Cup winners, is being staged in China following its debut in Beijing in 2014.

Shenzhen-based culture and sports venue operator Kaisa Culture Sports & Tourism Group signed a six-year deal with Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) to introduce the tournament to the Guangdong province city.

"Soccer plays an important role in relations between France and China," Philippe Vinogradoff, French ambassador for sports, said on Thursday.

"During President Emmanuel Macron's visit to China in January, the two countries made it clear that sports would be a major area for developing bilateral ties. Introducing the tournament to Shenzhen will strengthen exchanges and deepen understanding between the people of the two countries, benefiting both sides."

He expressed hope that "French soccer could reach more Chinese, especially young people".

Shu Li, chief executive officer of Kaisa, said despite being a major global sports event, the popularity of the Champions Trophy in China has been limited to date.

The company will also work with LFP to enhance youth training and export Chinese events to France in the future, Shu said.

Chinese investors' interest in French soccer clubs has been growing in recent years. Chinese investment fund IDG Capital Partners acquired a 20 percent stake in Ligue 1 Olympique Lyonnais for $123 million in 2016, while Lyon's top-flight rival Nice was bought by a group of Chinese and American investors, with the founder of Chinese hotel group Plateno Alex Zheng holding a 40 percent stake.

Philippe said China's involvement in French soccer should not merely be viewed as financial but as also moving each country's game in a "positive and active direction".

In last year's match, Paris Saint-Germain beat Monaco 2-1 in the Moroccan city of Tangiers.