Soccer match seen as bridge to foster closer China, Mongolia, Russia ties

Inner Mongolia Caoshangfei Club (white) takes on the Mongolia National Soccer Association team. [Photo/Baotou Daily]

On Dec 19, the inaugural China-Mongolia-Russia Urban Soccer Friendship Tournament kicked off in Baotou city, North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region. The opening match featured Inner Mongolia's Caoshangfei Club and the Mongolian National Soccer Association Team.

The first edition of the tournament has focused on adult competitions, bringing together 12 teams with 156 players from three countries.

Throughout the tournament, participants signed the "Strategic Cooperation Agreement of China-Mongolia-Russia Urban Soccer Friendship Association" and the "Memorandum of China-Mongolia-Russia Urban Soccer Friendship Tournament".

Future events will rotate among cities in the three countries and gradually include youth competitions, expanding athlete exchanges through soccer and sports.