The China Team's success is due to China's unerring stance on sports corruption. (Photo : Reuters)
Chinese authorities have been striking fear into corporate executives as President Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign rolls into its third year of implementation.
The recent success of the national soccer team is a new addition to the government's efforts. China has been an underachiever in FIFA. The world's most populous nation usually stood at rank 96th in world ranking, just ahead of Mozambique.
However, at the recent Asian Cup in Melbourne, China fared surprisingly. Team China advanced beyond the group stage of play, only to fall under host country in the quarter finals.
In what is now considered to be a "fairy-tale run" in Australia, the team went home in a "heroes" welcome. Everyone in China, including the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the Ministry of Supervision want in on the glory of the winning team.
An article released by the discipline commission declared that the team's victory is a result of the state's efforts to end corruption.
The article further stated that the soccer victory let the people rebuild their trusts. As part of the anti-corruption drive, China's sports administration made the player selection transparent and open to the public.
It has been reported that the president is keeping an eye on the soccer team.
China is recently a growing force in soccer circles. Chinese soccer fans are considered big consumers of soccer merchandise and overseas professional clubs.
Also, Chinese business tycoons have already shown interests in buying stakes in European powerhouses. Just last week, Dalian Wanda Group, a Chinese real-estate company, announced its plan to acquire a 20-percent stake in Spanish soccer club Atlético Madrid.
Chinese people hope that improving sports governance may soon result in better playoffs. Citing the Australian game as an example, the discipline commission admits it has plenty of work cut out for them.
The discipline commission further stated: "Chinese soccer has been in the process of rehabilitation, but it is far from completely healed."
