The first China-ASEAN Youth Football Tournament kicks off in Dongxing, Guangxi autonomous region. [Photo/CSCLF]

The first China-ASEAN Youth Football Tournament started on March 4, 2015 in Dongxing, Guangxi autonomous region. The eight-day event, which was organized by the Chinese Football Association and the Dongxing government, drew four U16 national teams- China, Malaysia, Vietnam and Myanmar.

The competition was the highest-level international youth soccer match ever organized in Guangxi. On the first day, the Chinese team beat their Malaysian peers 1-0, and Myanmar lost to Vietnam 2-1.

A group photo of the Chinese team. [Photo/CSCLF]

In the press conference prior to the match, SCLF said that the competition is intended to train the U16 teams for real games and increase public awareness of football training, especially among young people. At the same time, it said, the event can promote cultural exchanges between the youth of China and ASEAN countries and wider national ties as China works to implement the One Belt and One Road initiative.

Football training has been a focal point of SCLF. It has organized a series of events to promote the popularity and accessibility of football in China, and more importantly, to increase international harmony. So far it has produced exciting results in sports development and cultural exchanges.

In addition, the Chinese U16 team had a match with local students.