प्रकाशित · Marathi

China Sports Events Policy: A Guide for Foreign Founders

China's new policy to boost sports events and consumption creates opportunities for foreign founders in event management, equipment, tech, and services. Here's what you need to know.

China Opens Up Sports Events Sector for Foreign Participation

The General Office of the State Council has issued a new policy aimed at developing sports events and stimulating consumption. For foreign founders operating or planning to register a company in China, this policy signals expanded opportunities across event organization, equipment, technology, and related services.

Key Objectives and Timeline

The policy sets a goal for 2030: to basically form a modern sports event system with Chinese characteristics, cultivate a number of globally influential sports events, significantly improve industry coordination, and effectively stimulate event-related consumption. This is framed as support for high-quality economic and social development.

The guiding principles emphasize meeting diverse public needs, branding, integration, and market-oriented development of sports events. While the language is ideological, the practical direction is clear: more events, more private sector involvement, and more consumption.

What This Means for Foreign Founders

Foreign founders can participate in various aspects of the sports events ecosystem, subject to Chinese regulations. The policy encourages investment, innovation, and international cooperation, which may create openings for foreign expertise and capital.

• Professional leagues and events: The policy promotes professional leagues in football, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, badminton, ice hockey, baseball, and Go. It also supports high-level professional events in tennis, sailing, boxing, billiards, motorsports, and cycling. Foreign capital is explicitly encouraged to invest in domestic professional events at all levels, and new events can be created in accordance with laws and regulations.
• Event operations and services: The policy calls for cultivating competitive, specialized event operators and supports companies from culture/media, fitness, equipment manufacturing, and tech to participate in event organization and operation. Foreign firms with expertise in these areas may find partnership or investment opportunities.
• International exchange: The policy encourages cooperation with international sports organizations,引进 high-level international events, and supports qualified localities to host them. It also aims to improve convenience for foreigners coming to China to compete or watch events, including visa and customs facilitation for equipment. Domestic brand events are encouraged to "go global," expanding overseas sponsorship and media rights markets.
• Technology and innovation: Companies are encouraged to innovate services and products for events, including ice and snow equipment, smart wearables, and high-performance sports flooring. New technologies such as IoT, big data, AI, digital twins, and satellite navigation should be applied in event organization.
• Consumption scenarios: The policy supports pilot cities for sports consumption and event economy, integration of events with tourism, commerce, and culture, and the creation of immersive event experiences. This includes "event + expo" models, merchandise, and ticket-based promotions.
• Talent and standards: Encouragement for universities to offer sports economics and management programs, training for new professions like sports data analysts, and support for introducing foreign international event operation and management talent. Standardization of event operations and facilities is also emphasized.
• Facilities and funding: Support for public fitness facilities, outdoor sports destinations, and innovation in venue management. Financial support includes structural monetary policy tools and encouragement for financial institutions to develop event-related financial products and insurance.

Regulatory and Operational Considerations

Foreign founders should note that the policy emphasizes safety, security, and governance. Event organizers must assess risks, implement emergency response systems, and comply with safety standards. High-risk events have specific management requirements. The policy also calls for improved service management, including streamlined approval processes and market-based security services.

Local governments are encouraged to provide incentives for event attraction, scenario innovation, and job creation, within national regulations. However, details will depend on local implementation.

Practical Steps for Foreign Founders

• Identify the specific event category or service area that aligns with your expertise and the policy's priorities.
• Partner with local entities or seek investment opportunities in professional events, as foreign capital is encouraged.
• Monitor local pilot programs and incentives, as implementation may vary by region.
• Ensure compliance with safety, security, and licensing requirements.
• Leverage opportunities for international exchange, such as hosting foreign events or exporting services.

This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.

For assistance with company registration and operations in China, foreign founders can contact ChinaMNC on WhatsApp / WeChat at +86 153 1898 8535.