The Chinese Football Association announced Tuesday its plans to establish a national esports team that will compete in international video game tournaments organized by FIFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and other global bodies.

In an official statement, the association said the move is part of a broader strategy to elevate China’s status in global esports and integrate competitive gaming into the country’s professional sports framework.

China’s esports team delivered a standout performance during the 2023 Asian Games, hosted on home soil, securing four out of five possible gold medals — a result that underscored the country’s growing dominance in the sector.