Grassroots football craze fuels consumer spending in Jiangsu

The highly popular Jiangsu City Football League, a local grassroots football tournament in east China's Jiangsu Province, is generating billions of dollars in consumption in the economic powerhouse, driven by football match-related products and services, ranging from transportation to catering, accommodation, and sports-related merchandise.

This past weekend saw a new record for the number of tickets sold in the league, known as Suchao in Chinese.

The first match, which started in May with 13 teams as rivals, has attracted millions of fans and garnered billions of online views, although it's still halfway to the finish line. It has also made waves across the nation.

Sun Qing, deputy editor-in-chief of Yangtze Evening Post, is a football fan himself. He has been following the league since its very beginning. He said that Suchao is a stellar public good which brings so many fans together.

"There are many reasons for the popularity of Suchao. First comes the people's need for it. We say that the government should provide public goods, and Suchao is an excellent example. It uses the appeal of football, the world's most popular game, and brings people together, "said Sun.

The game also attracts foreigners, including those from the football powerhouse of Argentina.

"I love it! I love it! Really amazing atmosphere, and I see the energy of all the fans. It's a really nice game," said Marcelo Suarez Salvia, ambassador of Argentina to China.

So far, over one million people have walked inside the stadium. But that's not all. Each game, thousands of people sit outside the stadium to watch the big screen.

A ticket to see the game costs just a little over one U.S. dollar. In addition to seeing an amazing match, the fans get a gift bag. From ice pads to fan paraphernalia, the contents of the bag already cost more than the ticket.

Sun said Suchao earns income from other ways rather than ticket sales.

"The event itself definitely doesn't profit on ticket sales as sometimes the giveaway gift bags cost more than the tickets. But the city certainly benefits from it economically. Because of this competition, thousands of visitors flood in. For example, at least 2,000 people traveled from Yancheng to Nantong, spending real money on transportation, hotels and restaurants here in Nantong," said Sun.

Authorities stated that the games have generated approximately 38 billion yuan (approximately 5.3 billion U.S. dollars) in tourism, transportation, catering, accommodation, and sports-related spending.

Grassroots football craze fuels consumer spending in Jiangsu

China's pledge of full zero-tariff treatment for 53 African countries with diplomatic relations has been hailed by the African Union (AU) Commission as both a milestone in the continent's modernization drive and proof of China's role as a "true friend" to Africa.

Announced in June 2025, the policy underscores China's readiness to negotiate and sign the China‑Africa Economic Partnership for Shared Development. By removing tariffs across all product categories, the initiative is expected to cut trade costs for African exporters, expand market access to China, and strengthen the predictability and efficiency of cross‑border commerce.

In an interview with China Media Group (CMG), AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf expressed gratitude to China, contrasting Beijing's approach with that of other countries that have imposed tariffs or sanctions on Africa.

"Let me start by really being grateful to China. When other countries are imposing tariffs and sanctions on the continent, China is opening its heart and doors for the African member countries. So you know your friends when you are in need. A friend in need is a friend indeed, so China is really a friend to the African countries. And this is the best illustration of that friendship," said Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson.

AU chief calls China "true friend" after zero‑tariff pledge to Africa