Bundesliga: Bayern Munich open an academy in Qingdao, China, one of five "cities of football"

FC Bayern Munich (Bundesliga) will open an academy in Qingdao (China), in partnership with Chinese-German Ecopark Qingdao pilot project for sustainable development in China, a joint project by the Chinese government and the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs, announced the club on 27/10/2016. The signing of this partnership was held at the Chinese Embassy in Berlin (GER), in the presence of Mingde Shi, the Chinese Ambassador to Germany.

Qingdao, a city of nearly 9 million people, comprises one of five "cities of football" initiative by the Chinese government. "The aim of these 'football cities' is to use the help of European clubs and associations to develop Chinese football to a point where it can compete on the world stage by 2030," stated Bayern Munich.

To export the sporting expertise of Bayern Munich, the club's coaches will arrive in Qingdao to train local players in the new academy. Training courses at Bayern Munich's facilities are also available to players and Chinese coaches, and former players from the Bavarian club will travel regularly to Qingdao to participate in…