The FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta and the LaLiga President Javier Tebas led the welcome for a high-ranking institutional delegation from the People's Republic of China, as they visited to get first-hand knowledge of the training model and operations at La Masia, an international benchmark for identifying and developing young sporting talent.

The visiting delegation was led by State councillor for China Shen Yiqin, who was joined by director of the State General Administration of Sport Gao Zhidan, Deputy Secretary-General of the State Council Liu Yuhui, the Chinese ambassador in Spain Yao Jing, Deputy Director of the General Office of the State Council Yang Qinfeng, Director General of the Foreign Affairs Department of the General Administration of Sport Wu Jian, CFL president Li Kemin, and China U-23 coach Antonio Puche.

The meeting also involved the LaLiga president Javier Tebas and the LaLiga director in China. FC Barcelona acted as hosts and were represented by presidente Joan Laporta; first vice-president Rafael Yuste; institutional vice-president Elena Fort; director responsible for youth football Joan Soler; the director of youth football José Ramon Alexanco; the director of La Masia Andrei Xépkin; and the managing director of APAC & the Americas Bryant Bachner, who officially welcomed the delegation and accompanied them throughout.

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    La Masia, a global benchmark for sports development

    The day involved the Chinese football representatives getting a detailed tour of the La Masia facilites and they learned about the educational and sporting model that is behind the playing style of FC Barcelona: a style based on talent, tactical intelligence and teamwork.

    Over decades, La Masia has proven to be the place to develop top level footballers, but also people with solid values such as respect, humility and commitment. This holistic approach that combines sporting excellence, academic learning and a sense of belonging has consolidated La Masia as a global benchmark and one of the foundations in the history and style of FC Barcelona.

    Friendly match and institutional meeting

    The day also included a match between the FC Barcelona U-18s and the U-17 HOPE team from China, meaning the members of the delegation could see how the blaugrana training model appears on the pitch.

    Lastly, there was an institutional meeting in the form of a seminar, with the idea of being a moment to exchange knowledge and experiences regarding training and developing talent, with a desire to look into synergies and opportunities to collaborate in the future.

    Força Barça