Shanghai, October 22 (Xinhua) -- On October 22, the release of the emblem of the 2023 AFC China Asian Cup and the unveiling ceremony of the first professional football stadium were held in Shanghai. Du Zhaocai, deputy director of the State General Administration of Sports, secretary of the Party Committee of the Chinese Football Association, and executive chairman of the China Organizing Committee of the Asian Cup, attended the ceremony and delivered a speech.
The emblem of the 2023 AFC China Asian Cup is based on the AFC Asian Cup master logo as the base, on the basis of which the traditional Chinese colors of red and yellow are taken as the main colors, and the trophy is jade-textured, which is intended to show the characteristics of The Chinese host and the beauty of oriental civilization. The 24 rays of light superimposed on the emblem represent the highest level football teams from 24 countries and regions in Asia, and the 10 beams formed by the combination represent the ten host cities of the Asian Cup. They surround the Asian Cup, symbolizing the close unity and sharing of all participants, carrying the beautiful vision of the people of all Asia working together to create a better future.
The event also released the concept of the 2023 Asian Cup competition - "unity, sharing, passion, excellence", held the unveiling ceremony of the first Professional Football Stadium of the Asian Cup - Shanghai Pudong Football Stadium, and launched the "Ten Cities with 100 Counties" to help rural revitalization plan.
The Chinese Organizing Committee and 10 Asian Cup host cities jointly organized the implementation of the "Ten Cities with 100 Counties" to help rural revitalization plan, and paired up to help the development of rural football in 110 counties in 18 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central government). Among them, there are more than 10 ethnic minority autonomous counties including buyi, Miao, and Li. The plan has also received strong support from the AFC, which believes that this move is a major innovation and beneficial exploration of the Chinese organizing committee in the practice of promoting the social responsibility of the Asian Cup.
Du Zhaocai said in his speech that the 2023 Asian Cup is a major landmark international sports event hosted by China during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, and a grand event for the people of the whole country and the Asian football family. The 10 professional football stadiums are milestones in the construction of football venues and facilities in China, which will leave a valuable legacy for the development of football and cities in China. The release of the emblem of the Asian Cup marks that the preparations for the Asian Cup have entered a new stage, and the Chinese Organizing Committee will make every effort with the host cities to make all the preparations and dedicate a wonderful and outstanding Asian Cup to the world. AFC President Salman congratulated the launch of the emblem via video.
The Asian Cup is the highest level and most influential football tournament in Asia hosted by the AFC. The 2023 Asian Cup will be held from 16 June to 16 July 2023 in 10 cities including Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Chongqing, Chengdu, Xi'an, Dalian, Qingdao, Xiamen and Suzhou. (End)