German soccer legend Franz Beckenbauer urged China here on Saturday to support his country's bid to host the 2006 World Cup finals.

Beckenbauer, who heads the German bidding committee, was on a two-day visit to China as part of his Asian tour which had seen him trotting around New Zealand, Thailand and South Korea to drum up support for his country's bid.

He flies to Japan on sunday for the 2002 World Cup qualifying draw.

"I am confident we will beat other contenders, including England, to win the host rights of the 2006 World Cup," he said in a press conference.

Beckenbauer said Germany has caught up with long-time major rivals--on and off the field--in the bidding race.

"I must admit that England launched an publication offensive earlier than ours," he said. "But now we have caught up, we have a lot of friends over the world and we are visiting them to win their support."

Wang Junsheng, vice-president of the Chinese Football Association, held talks on Saturday with the former German star and one of the all-time greats in soccer history.

Beckenbauer, a key member of the West German team who won the 1974 World Cup on their home soil, tasted the same glory in Italy' 90, this time as a head coach.

Bringing the 2006 World Cup to Germany will culminate his life- long love affair with soccer, he said.

Germany are competing with four other countries -- Egland, Morocco, South Africa and Brazil -- for the hosting rights, with England and South Africa considered as their main rivals. (Xinhua)