The 2018 FIFA World Cup has kicked off in Russia on Thursday. As an avowed soccer fan, President Xi Jinping has said he has three World Cup dreams for China: to participate once again in the World Cup finals, to host the World Cup finals and to be World Cup winners. China last qualified for the final stages in 2002. Here's a look at Xi's soccer diplomacy.
[Photo/Xinhua]
July 5, 2017
President Xi Jinping, his wife Peng Liyuan and German Chancellor Angela Merkel watch a friendly soccer match between Chinese and German youth teams in Berlin.