"China uses sport to shine internationally and improve its image" (Pascal Boniface, IRIS)

"China uses sport as an instrument of soft power, to shine internationally and improve its image," said Pascal Boniface, founder and director of the Institute of International and Strategic Relations (IRIS) to News Tank Football on 08/02/2016.

CSL clubs already spent €258.9m during the winter transfer window in 2016, higher than the English Premier League (€247.3m), according to data from website Transfermarkt.com on 02/05/2016. The amount spent by China -- where the transfer window closes on 26/02/2016 -- is 2.2 times larger than the league's spending in all of 2015 (€115.9m), a record for the Chinese league.

"If it is given the means and continues to develop, China can become a major player in world football in the medium to long term," said Boniface, who has also been a member of the National Ethics Council of the FFF since 01/07/2013.

Pascal Boniface answered questions from News Tank Football.

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