Xi's stories: Sports exchanges important part of China-UK people-to-people and cultural ties

During a state visit to the United Kingdom on October 23, 2015, President Xi Jinping, accompanied by then British Prime Minister David Cameron, visited the Manchester City Football Academy.

President Xi Jinping, accompanied by then British Prime Minister David Cameron, views the football used in the first World Cup final during a visit to the City Football Academy in Manchester, Britain, on October 23, 2015.

The two leaders toured an exhibition on the history of football, observed demonstrations of the club's player development and performance analysis systems, and watched a team training session featuring some of Manchester City's top players. Club representatives later presented President Xi with a team jersey.

Xi noted that football is the world's most widely played sport and has the largest fan base, giving it broad social influence and global appeal. He said the UK, as the birthplace of modern football, is a global football powerhouse, with many aspects of its football development offering valuable lessons for China.

He added that sports exchanges are an important component of people-to-people and cultural ties between China and the UK and expressed hope that the two countries would strengthen cooperation in sports, including football, to promote public health and deepen bilateral friendship.

On the same day, Sergio Agüero, a Manchester City star at the time, took a selfie with Xi and Cameron and shared it on social media, writing, "Thank you for the selfie, President Xi."