On October 23 local time, President Xi Jinping, accompanied by Prime Minister David Cameron of the UK, visited the Manchester City Football Academy.

Leaders of the two countries visited an exhibition of football history, viewed a demonstration of player training and match data analysis system of the Manchester City Football Club and watched a training match of top players of the club. Representatives of the club presented a team jersey to Xi Jinping.

Xi Jinping expressed that football is the sport that is most widely spread and garners the largest fan number. It enjoys a broad social influence and is deeply loved by people all over the world. The UK is the birthplace of modern football and a football power on the earth. There are lots of aspects in UK's football worthy of China's learning. Sports exchanges are an important part of people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and the UK. It is hoped that the two sides will strengthen communication and cooperation in sports including football to improve the two peoples' health and advance China-UK friendship.

The Manchester City Football Academy was established in 2014 with investment from the Manchester City Football Club. At present there are 450 trainees from different countries undertaking its training.

Wang Huning, Li Zhanshu, Yang Jiechi and others attended the above activities.