Commercial and institutional ties to highlight Rosell's China visit

From the 25th to the 28th of November, President Sandro Rosell will lead a FC Barcelona delegation to China to strengthen commercial and institutional ties between the Asian country and the club 

FC Barcelona’s participation in the China Foundation for Disabled Persons (CFDP) Gala is the highlight of the trip

President Sandro Rosell. PHOTO: ARXIU FCB.

Thanks to the recently signed agreement between FC Barcelona and Inter Sports, for the next five years Barça will host a sports campus at the Beijing National Stadium, the Bird’s Nest. “We want to establish a permanent link with Chinese society,” said Sandro Rosell after signing the agreement with Inter Sports, a company owned by the Beijing City Council. This was the first step in an ambitious project aimed at establishing more direct ties with the Chinese market. 

FC Barcelona hopes to deepen its relationship with China during Sandro Rosell’s three day visit to Beijing and Shanghai. Sandro Rosell will be accompanied by Vice President, Javier Faus, Technology Directory, Dídac Lee, General Director, Antoni Rossich, and Commercial and Marketing Director, Laurent Colette. 

Attending the Chinese Foundation Disabled Persons (CFDP) Gala

FC Barcelona will also be present at the Chinese Foundation Disabled Persons (CFDP) Gala. The CFDP is a foundation that works with more than 80 million disabled people in the Asian country, it’s led by Deng Pufang, son of the late Chinese leader, Deng Xiaoping. The event, an annual fixture since 2004, is televised by CCTV and airs during optimal viewing hours. Sandro Rosell, who will be seated at the presidential table, will present FC Barcelona’s donation for the benefit auction: jerseys and footballs signed by FC Barcelona players, a pair of football boots signed by Andrés Iniesta, and four tickets and travel arrangements to Barcelona for a Champions League match.

The CFDP employs more than 200,000 workers throughout China. Since its inception, with assistance from the Communist Party, local governments and both national and international aid organisations, the CFDP has collected more than 50 million euros in donations for disabled people throughout the country. The Chinese foundation effectively improves the lives of disabled and less fortunate Chinese people, especially children. 

Meetings with the Beijing and Shanghai mayors 

The day after the CFDP Gala, Sandro Rosell will meet with Jinlong, Beijing’s mayor. The following day he will meet with Mayor Han Zheng in Shanghai. Sandro Rosell will also meet with the Chinese minister of education to see how FC Barcelona can encourage sports among the Chinese youth, a proposal that links up with Barça’s sports campus in Beijing. 

FC Barcelona delegates will also meet with local UNICEF representatives. UNICEF has been working in China for over 30 years, with assistance from the Chinese government, to promote and protect children’s rights. 

Apart from commercial and institutional meetings, FC Barcelona delegates will also establish contacts with local Chinese communications channels. President Rosell will be interviewed by CCTV, Forbes China and reporters from established news sources to better position Barça in the Asian market.