CHINA’S : THE MAKING OF FOOTBALL SUPERPOWER

‘SOFT POWER’ CINA : MENUJU KEKUATAN ADIDAYA DALAM SEPAKBOLA

Ganjar Ariel Santosa 1 Alumni Universitas Pertahanan Indonesia ([email protected])

Abstract – A significant economic rise provides an opportunity for China to expand its influence globally, especially in sectors where China does not have strong influences. One of them is football. The average achievement of its National football has pushed the government to implement soft power strategy to improve the quality and the competitiveness of its national football. This strategy is carried out with a strong synergy between the government and private sector businesses nationwide. This paper will analyze how China’s soft power strategy implemented in order to advance its national football and their national pride globally. Keywords : China, soft power, economy, football, investment

Abstrak – Kebangkitan ekonomi Cina memberikan peluang untuk memperluas pengaruh secara global, terutama pada sektor-sektor dimana Tiongkok tidak memiliki pengaruh yang cukup kuat. Salah satunya adalah sepakbola. Prestasi sepakbola nasional yang biasa-biasa saja membuat pemerintah menerapkan strategi soft power untuk mendorong perbaikan kualitas dan persaingan sepakbola nasional. Strategi ini dilakukan dengan sinergi yang kuat antara pemerintah dengan sektor bisnis swasta nasional. Makalah ini akan menganalisis bagaimana strategi soft power tersebut diimplementasikan demi kemajuan sepakbola nasional dan kehormatan bangsa di mata dunia. Kata kunci : Cina, soft power, ekonomi, sepakbola, investasi

1 Alumni Universitas Pertahanan Indonesia Manajemen Pertahanan Cohort 4, sekarang bekerja di salah satu industri pertahanan swasta.

China’s Soft Power: The Making of Football Superpower | Ganjar Ariel Santosa | 109 Introduction1 Olympics in Beijing, China secured number one spot with 48 gold medals. But n recent decades, China’s economy unfortunately this does not apply to their experienced significant progress. national football. China football national Economic reforms that began in the I team had only one winless participation in late 1970s has made the People’s Republic the 2002 World Cup, had never been Asian of China (PRC) emerged as a major player Cup champions and currently ranked at in the global economic constellation.2The 82, or one rank above the Faroe Islands, IMF estimates that China will be the largest in the FIFA world rankings. economic power in the world before the end of the decade.3This economic Aware of its national football revival presents both opportunities and achievement, the government is trying challenges in all aspects, and one of them to reform their national football. In the is in the football. initial phase, the government formed a professional competition, Jia-A League Li, Macintosh and Bravo said that in 1994, but it did not go very well. The sport in China is heavily influenced by scandal of illegal gambling, match fixing the government. This foundation can be and bribery occured in the journey of Jia-A seen by the formation of their sporting league competition. national body, The State General Administration of Sport, to ensure control Ten years later, the national football of the operational branches of the sport body, the Chinese Football Association in China. It starts from the planning stage (CFA) gave birth to to the execution of policy and laws that (CSL) toreplace the Jia-A League, which support the development of the sports was attended by 16 participants of industry.4 professional football club. The objective of establishing CSL is to improve quality Sports in general, is a thing to and create a high level of competition; be proud by the PRC. After successful introduce modern managerial concepts; national sports reform, China has always enforce the minimum standards of been in the top four in Summer Olympic professionalism; encourage the inflow competition since 1990. At the 2008

1 of foreign coaches and players of high 2 Thomas G. Rawski, “The Rise of China’s quality; and gradually establish a system Economy”, Foreign Policy Research Institute, Vol.16, No.06, June 2011, pp. 1-6. of European football for the registration 3 Mark Harrison and Debin Ma, “Soaring Dragon, and transfer of players.5 Stumbling Bear: China’s Rise in a Comparative Context”, The CAGE-Chatham House Series, No.6, In general, there is a gap between March 2013, pp.2-12. 4 Ming Li, Eric Macintosh and Gonzalo Bravo, “Sport the China’s sports achievements with in China heavily Influenced by the Government”, the achievements of its football. For Human Kinetic, 2012, http://www.humankinetics. com/excerpts/excerpts/sport-in-china-heavily- 5 Severine Bardon, “The Economics of Sport in influenced-by-government, accessed on Thursday, China: A Maturing Sector”, China Perspectives January 12, 2017. No.1, 2008, pp. 40-46.

110 | Jurnal Pertahanan & Bela Negara | April 2017, Volume 7 Nomor 1 the Chinese government, football factor, like a company, because of its achievements becomes a priority for importance lies in how football clubs can the revival of the nation on the world contribute to ensure economic prosperity, stage. This article will discuss how China’s environmental quality and social equity. strategy using soft power to support their Transition from production-based ambitions of becoming a superpower in economy to a service based economy the world of football, where business, and consumption provide power to politics and sports intersect. obtain sustainable development through football.8

Why football? Football industry also allows massive investment in terms of ownership Football as a peoplesport can be a of the club and football infrastructure bridge to expand China’s influence development. The industry also involves while strengthening their economies, large amounts of money circulating in the because football nowadays has turned form of broadcasting rights, advertising into a profitable industry. Football is a and sponsorship. Not only from an market which is unusual because of the economic standpoint, football is also a intensity of customer’ loyalty, in this case platform that is able to provide wider the fans or supporters, to create a brand access to spread its influence on the global of football into a market that is very level through events and competitions special. Grant argued that partisanship like the World Cup, the Olympics, the and loyalty of supporters to a club make European Cup, Champions League, and their fans willing to do anything, from many more. purchasing expensive match tickets and club’s merchandises, watch the game at It is noteworthy that in recent years, a non flexible time, and buying overpriced European football clubs are already seeing food or drinks that are sold in the Asia as a new lucrative market. Clubs stadium.6Therefore, football supporters such as Juventus, AC Milan, Manchester have become the subject of increasingly United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Real Madrid, commercialised and commodified nature Bayern Munich has shifted its target to of professional football.7 ‘colonialize’ new markets in Asia. Some of the club, comes and visit Asian countries In order to obtain sustainable for their pre- tour. Four episode of development through sport, football Italian League Super Cup match between clubs should be seen as an economic Italian league winner and Italian cup 6 Wyn Grant, “An Analytical Framework for a winner was held in China. Three times Political Economy of Football”, British Politics, No.2, 2007, pp. 69-90. 8 Vlad Rosca, “Sustainable Development of a city 7 David Kennedy and Peter Kennedy, “Towards a using a Football Club”, Theoritical and Empirical Marxist political economy of football supporters”, Researches in Urban Management, No.7, August, Capital & Class No.34, 2, 2010. pp.181-182. 2010, pp.61-68.

China’s Soft Power: The Making of Football Superpower | Ganjar Ariel Santosa | 111 at the Beijing National Stadium, and one China’s Soft Power in Football time at The Shanghai Stadium. A proof As an emerging force, of course China that football has evolved in such a way wants to get all the attention and more and become an important tool in the authority in the global system. To achieve process of globalization. that, China is applying their soft power A recent study by CSIS notes that to other countries, especially western by 2030 Asia will be home to more than and African countries. Joseph Nye said half the world’s middle-class consumers, that the Soft power is the attractive and account for more than 40 percent of power. Soft power is more than just the global gross domestic product (GDP). The influence, coercion or the ability to move region’s aggregate weight in the global people through argument.11 Furthermore, economy continues to increase. China is soft power can be defined as the ability to now the world’s second largest economy get what it wants through an attraction, by nominal GDP, and largest by purchasing rather than coercion or payment.12 power parity. Average annual per capita According to Zhou, China’s strategy disposable income in 2014 was around emphasizes soft power, because they $3,000.9 Asian emerging economies, see this strategy is a weak point for especially in China provides opportunity their superpower bitter rivals in global and challenges for China to bring forward politics, the United States. Since the Iraq their national football ambition. war began in 2003, the United States has Football clubs nowadays are suffered a serious setback in terms of soft becoming part of a larger and more power. For China, the drive to go forward integrated global strategy and becoming with the use of soft power is not just a an instrument of economic globalization.10 desire to promote a particular brand or China of course saw this opportunity. their political philosophy, but more to They see football as an area that can and rebuild national credibility. China’s soft should be exploited as the extention of power has arrived in the world in the their national interest, both from the form of scholarships for foreign students economic and political aspects. It is quite to study in China, helping many countries natural because football has become an financially, as well as playing an important industry and market that is very special. role in many international organizations. 13

11 Sheng Ding, “Soft Power and The Rise of China: An Assessment of China’s Soft Power in Its Modernization Process”, A Dissertation submitted 9 George Abonyi, “An Alternative Perspective on to Graduate School-Newark Rutgers, The State Asian Emerging Economies”, CogitASIA, CSIS, University of New Jersey, 2006, pp.41-45. 12 March 1, 2017. Jinghao Zhou, “Does China’s Rise Threaten The 10 Osvaldo Croci and Julian Ammirante, “Soccer United States?”, Asian Perspectives, Vol.32, No.3, in the Age of Globalization”, Peace Review, 11, 4, 2008, pp.171-182. 13 December 1999, pp.500-502. Ibid., pp.180.

112 | Jurnal Pertahanan & Bela Negara | April 2017, Volume 7 Nomor 1 Picture 1. Money spent during Winter 2016.

Source: Statista, 2016.

One area that has not been used by local clubs of a league in Asia whose age is China in terms of soft power is football. relatively new and inexperienced, signed Football as one of the most popular the big names players in world football at sports in the world, is an opportunity a fantastic and tend to be unreasonable to apply soft power to the western and price. CSL managed to force the world African countries, especially Europe that to recognizes China’s financial clout and are way more advanced from them in ambition to become a major force in football world. world football. In recent years, China’s applying a The lack of resources in high quality great soft power maneuver in the form of local players, makes the world-class an international player transfers and heavy star transfer a very reasonable thing. By investment in European big football clubs. bringing in world class players, the CSL The strategy of recruiting international has ensure the progress at the level of foreign players to strengthen the club is competition and professionalism in their a common thing in the world of football, national football. Nonetheless, many as professional leagues around the world observers and football critics condemned does the exact same thing. the steps taken by the Chinese clubs. CSL However, football public across the has spent hundreds of millions dollars just globe was taken by surprise when the to bring world-class players to compete in China.

China’s Soft Power: The Making of Football Superpower | Ganjar Ariel Santosa | 113 Table 1. Top 20 Footballers With Highest Salary in 2016-17 Season.

No. Player Name Club Weekly Salary 1. Carlos Tevez Shanghai Shenhua FC £ 615.000 2. Oscar Shanghai SIPG £ 400.000 3. Real Madrid £ 365.000 4. Gareth Bale Real Madrid £ 350.000 5. Lionel Messi FC Barcelona £ 336.000 6. Hulk Shanghai SIPG £ 320.000 7. Paul Pogba Manchester United £ 290.000 8. Graziano Pelle Shandong Luneng FC £ 290.000 9. Neymar FC Barcelona £ 275.000 10. Wayne Rooney Manchester United £ 260.000 11. Robin van Persie Fenerbahce £ 240.000 12. Yaya Toure Manchester City £ 230.000 13. Sergio Aguero Manchester City £ 230.000 14. Luis Suarez FC Barcelona £ 230.000 15. Asamoah Gyan Shanghai SIPG £ 227.000 16. Zlatan Ibrahimovic Manchester United £ 220.000 17. Ezequiel Lavezzi Herbei Fortune FC £ 220.000 18. David Silva Manchester City £ 210.000 19. David De Gea Manchester United £ 200.000 20. Bastian Schweinsteiger Manchester United £ 200.000

Source: Mirror Football, 2017.

In terms of expenditure, CSL is now that the Chinese football transfer the league who has spent the most for activity has surpassed them and also their recruiting football players in the world counterpart in the top five European last year (see picture 1).14 In all, CSL has league such as Italy, , Spain and spent $336.55 million to bring top quality France. players to China during the winter transfer High profile players has been window 2016, compared to $271.42 million involved in this Chinese football transfer for the English . While vaganza. Three international players from English Premier League has always been Brazil; Oscar, Hulk and Alex Teixeira have the epicenter of its financial power, put themselves on the list of world’s most 14 Niall McCarthy, “Chinese Soccer Clubs Flex Their expensive transfers when they joined Financial Muscle”, Statista The Statistic Portal, Feb 19, 2016, https://www.statista.com/chart/4383/ the China’s local clubs. While Argentina chinese-soccer-clubs-flex-their-financial-muscle/ striker Carlos Tevez signed up as a player accessed on March 23, 2017.

114 | Jurnal Pertahanan & Bela Negara | April 2017, Volume 7 Nomor 1 with the highest salary in the world after Magath (Shandong Luneng) are some of joining the club Shanghai Shenhua in the the world-class managers with a series of month of December 2016 (see table 1).15 national and international titles. Then in Table 1 showed us that Chinese the top of the chain, Marcello Lippi, the Super League latest acquisitions are on former manager of the world champion the top of the list of world highest paid from Italy, appointed as the Chinese football players. Those written in bold are national team manager. the players from Chinese Super League. Human resource recruitment The CSL contributed six players with the strategy of international football is one recent signings Carlos Tevez and Oscar on of the ways to enhance the capabilities the top of the list, surpassing super star and the professionalism of the Chinese players such as Cristiano Ronaldo and football. Another action that is actively Lionel Messi. Other famous names such pursued by the Chinese is through as Graziano Pelle (Italy), Hulk (Brazil), investment in Europeans big football Ezequeil Lavezzi (Argentina) and Asamoah clubs. Gyan () are on the list from CSL. Two clubs from the city of Milan While Shanghai SIPG joins FC Barcelona in Italy, Internazionale and AC Milan and Manchester City in contributing three have been acquired by the China’s giant players, only Manchester United has company. Suning Holding Group became more players (four) on the list. This high the majority shareholder of Internazionale, paying football players trend in CSL will while Changxing Group holds 99.93% potentially continue in the future. At the of AC Milan shares. In addition, China moment, there are 501 players in Chinese Media Capital, a consortium of Chinese Super League, where 16,6% of them are companies has already purchased the foreign players. (83 players). stock of English giant club Manchester The world-class players recruitment City owned by Abu Dhabi United Group is not the only human resource that is for 265 million pounds, equivalent to 13% imported by China. World-class managers ownership. also brought in to create a more List of the clubs which was acquired interesting and qualified CSL. Luiz Felipe by Chinese companies did not stop there. Scolari (Guangzhou Evergrande), Manuel Granada, Espanyol and Atletico Madrid Pellegrini (Hebei China Fortune), Sven (Spain), Nice and Lyon (France), Aston Goran Erikkson (Shanghai SIPG), Fabio Villa, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Cannavaro (Tianjin Quanjian FC) and Felix West Bromwich Albion (England), ADO 15 Aaron Flanagan, “The world’s highest paid the Hague (Netherlands) and Slavia footballers – Who Wayne Rooney could surpass Prague (Czech Republic) has seen their if he secures move to China”, Mirror Football, 21 February 2017. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/ shares purchased or have been controlled football/news/worlds-highest-paid-footballers- entirely by Chinese investors. (See Picture cristiano-9511170, accessed on 23rd of March 2017.

China’s Soft Power: The Making of Football Superpower | Ganjar Ariel Santosa | 115 Picture 2. China’s investment to the European Football Clubs since 2015.

Source: Bloomberg, 2016.

2)16. Until 2016, more than 2 billion dollars young Chinese players at the club, disbursed for investment in European mentioning that the likes of international clubs with the largest expenditure is to players like Oscar and Hulk were brought acquire Italian club AC Milan. This list to China to help achieve that goal. Since certainly has the potential to be longer in SIPG (Shanghai International Port Group), the years ahead. the largest port management in China, Two examples to implement soft completed its takeover of the club in power in the world of football are by 2014, investment in foreign players has recruiting world-class human resources rocketed. In the 2014/15 season, the club and massive investment in International spent £5.95 million on overseas players; big clubs. The world class football players the following season, that rose to £23.38 transfered to China is one of the reason to million; and in the lead up to the new develop young Chinese players. Shanghai season, the sum was almost five times SIPG Chairman, Chen Xuyuan, spoke higher, at £113.38 million. On top of that, about the importance of developing the club has set up 31 academies across China aimed at advancing the level of 16 See Annex 1.

116 | Jurnal Pertahanan & Bela Negara | April 2017, Volume 7 Nomor 1 domestic footballers. The most promising In their Five Year Plan number 13 young products from those academies policy, the government aimed to create are invited to the center in Shanghai when sporting industry worth of 3.000 billion they turn 13.17 yuan, which can contribute to about 1 By investing in European football percent of the national gross domestic clubs, there is a great opportunity for product by 2020, compared with 0.7 Chinese local clubs to learn, and for local percent in 2015. The five-year plan young talents to be trained in Europe, encourage local governments to form the which overall will improve the quality of sports industry investment fund, by using Chinese football. For example, Spain’s club the private sector and cash society, and Espanyol with their new Chinese owner, also to broaden their sporting interests just recently announced Xu Xu, their first through a public-private partnership 19 ever Chinese national midfielder signing. project financed. While Jiansu Suning, the club that has the From abroad, the visit of the same owner of Internazionale Milan, sent President Xi Jingping, who was also their Australian defender Trent Sainsbury a football fan, to the headquarters of on loan to Internazionale. Manchester City in England while on Now the Chinese Football has began last year, constitutes a strong to received tremendous exposure of evidence of the state presence that the international media because of their will make the Chinese investors more action in the transfer market and also the confident in the support of the state European stock exchanges. policy towards their investment in the world of football. In order to understand the engagement of China’s local clubs and The synergies between giant investors, one must also see the important corporations and Chinese state policy role of government in the process. In are well intertwined. Because for China’s April 2016, the Chinese government companies, they feel that it is wise to be has launched an ambitious blueprint publicly visible supporting state policy. to create 50 million children and adults Buying a football club is not going to playing football at the end of the decade. yield immediate revenue on investments, Including plans to have at least 20,000 but has many indirect benefits such as training centers and 70,000 football fields access to foreign markets, business opportunities, and strengthen the in 2020.18 17 Tom Roddy, “The Hard Cash and Soft Power Driving China’s Footballing Ambitions”, accessed on Wednesday, January 11, 2017. 19 Newsweek Sport 17th March 2017. Accessed on 23rd Summer Zhen, “Corporate Investment flooding March 2017. into China’s sport sector”, South China Morning 18 Charlie Campbell, “China Wants to become A Post, September 7, 2016, http://www.scmp.com/ Soccer Super power in 2050”, Time Magazine, business/article/2017193/investment-flooding- April 12, 2016, http://time.com/4290251/china- chinas-sports-sector, accessed on Thursday, soccer-superpower-2050-football--world-cup/, January 12, 2017.

China’s Soft Power: The Making of Football Superpower | Ganjar Ariel Santosa | 117 company’s image.20 stadium with 35,000 seat in the capital Chairman of Dalian Wanda, the of San Jose, at an estimated cost of 100 one who acquired Spanish club, Atletico million dollars. In 2010, when Madrid, Wang Jianlin, said that Dalian hosted The African Cup Nations (ACN), Wanda will continue to focus on the China built and financed four new purchase of sports companies so that stadiums for them. Until this day, Angola 22 China could have a greater voice in the is China’s second largest source of oil. international sporting stage. In January Another example, 15 months 2016, Wanda acquired Swiss sports after the purchase of 13% ownership of marketing company, Infront Sports Manchester City from Abu Dhabi United & Media, which also holds a media Group to a consortium of Chinese Investor, cooperation in several sports at the Abu Dhabi issuing oil and gas exploration Winter Olympics. Wang said that the rights to China Energy Company Limited. purchases could be a beginning that can The first time a Chinese company had help China to host international sporting gained equity rights in Abu Dhabi oil and events.21 gas. This also means China will have bigger Influence is one of the most desired involvement in determining the price of 23 thing by China. With the strategy of soft such resources. power, China will have a strong influence Football, in terms of soft power, has in the decision making on the world of been frequently used by China that it is football. Given how strong the influence now commonplace. Take a look at the ACN of Europe in football, then it certainly will held in this year. Apart from the affect the global football as well. African players participating in the CSL, Simon Chadwick, a professor of one of Gabon’s two stadium in Libreville international football industry and expert and one in Franceville was funded and on geo-politics of sport in Asia, said that constructed by China. In December last China’s soft power in football has an year, President Ali Bongo of Gabon and impact for dozens of countries in Latin Xi Jinping of China met one another in America, Africa, Asia and the Caribbean Beijing, marked by China’s announcement through what is referred to as ‘stadium that Gabon is to become a comprehensive ’. In 2007, for example, Costa partner (raised from its current status Rica cut ties with Taiwan and recognize as a billateral partner). Chadwick added the rival, China. The following year, the that Football nicely joins the dots in a Chinese workers build a new national Gabonese/Chinese relationship that 20 Liu Sha, “Why Chinese Companies are Investing already sees the African nation sending in Football Clubs Overseas”, CKGSB Knowledge, 14,2 per cent of all its exports to its East September, 26, 2016, http://knowledge.ckgsb. edu.cn/2016/09/26/sports/chinese-companies- Asian partner. Looking ahead to the next investing-football-clubs/, accessed on Thursday, 22 Campbell, op.cit. January 12, 2017. 23 Roddy, loc.cit. 21 Loc.Cit.

118 | Jurnal Pertahanan & Bela Negara | April 2017, Volume 7 Nomor 1 Picture 3. How China use soft power to become world football superpower

ACN in 2019, where will be , bridges in , and schools in the host, China Machinery Engineering Angola—all nations with vast mineral Corporation has agreed to design two new resources that China covets dearly. The stadiums. Back in 2009, China also made selection of recipients for Chinese aid soft loans of US$40 million to Cameroon in the form of stadiums in Africa and enabling the country to construct the Latin America is far from random. While Limbe and Bafoussam Stadium which will stadiums are only a small component of also be used in 2019.24 China’s greater foreign aid policy, the Beijing has been creating massive, modern structures stand, infrastructure projects for decades even to the most marginal members of throughout Africa including railroads in society, as a tangible reminder of Chinese assistance.25 24 Simon Chadwick, “How China is fuelling the African Cup of Nations: Stadium Diplomacy 25 Rachel Will, “China’s Stadium Diplomacy”, reigns down in Africa”, Asia & The Pacific Policy World Policy Journal, The World Policy Institute. Society. https://www.policyforum.net/china- http://www.worldpolicy.org/journal/summer2012/ fuelling-african-cup-nations/ accessed on Monday, chinas-stadium-diplomacy, accessed on Monday, February 6, 2017. February 6, 2017.

China’s Soft Power: The Making of Football Superpower | Ganjar Ariel Santosa | 119 China has accelerate soft power can be a way to gain a national pride and to the resource rich nations in Africa honor in the future, if managed properly with their Stadium Diplomacy. At least and carefully. See below picture 3, the the last three host of the African Cup scheme of how China is using their soft Nations Angola, Equatorial and power to become the world football Gabon; and also Cameroon, the future super power in the future. host of ACN 2019, has received stadium China’s framework of using projects from China. Football stadium it’s soft power is based on the good diplomacy is a crucial aspect in examining synergy between the government and the country’s effort in the making of a the corporations. Together, with the football superpower. From here, China necessary sport policy and also the funds will gain international trust from their from the corporation, they create a soft allies, making them a startegic partner power strategy that elaborate the needs in football, as well as opening a flawless to improve their national football and pathway of a bigger role in the world of become the world’s football superpower. football. The China’s soft power in football consist of Sheng Ding believes that progress world class human resources recruitment, in the Chinese soft power becomes investment in the European big clubs and an important part of the national stadium diplomacy. With this strategy, development strategy by emphasizing the China hopes to have a better system improvement of national power including of youth player development, gaining economic strength, the power of science influence from the European big decision and technology, and cultural power. This makers in sport, as well as strengthen makes China has become a new global their economy by trading their stadium power.26 Therefore, the expansion of financing with natural resources. With their soft power strategy in football is an this kind of elaborative and systematic obvious thing to do and received special plan of action, world football superpower attention by the government and also the is not just a dream for China. world.

Although there are growing concern Lesson for Indonesia about how far the international football Football is a game that is enjoyed by players and coaches can carry the national everybody, everywhere, anytime and Chinese football forward, we still need to anyhow. We can see how the foreign appreciate and praised the country for the football broadcasts in Indonesia is able to persistence to promote and improvetheir attract the Indonesians. European clubs national football. The planning and the Indonesian fan base has been flourishing in execution of their national sport policy Indonesia and is still growing. The support is a signal that sport, especially football 26 Ding, op.cit, pp.232-233 from Indonesian for foreign football clubs

120 | Jurnal Pertahanan & Bela Negara | April 2017, Volume 7 Nomor 1 flowing through social medias and club national team playing in the regional level, attributes which voluntarily purchased either in the friendly exhibition or official by Indonesian football fans such as scarf, match. They were willing to queue for jersey, hats, bags etc. Football broadcast hours or even days, just to get the tickets that began at dawn is not an obstacle, to the stadium and support the national Indonesian football fans happily staying team. They do not care that the ticket has awake just to watch their favourite been monopolized by brokers and re-sell clubmatch. Most of the times, the rivalry it at a definetely higher prices. All of this that took place between two clubs, such happens because two solid reasons, the as Real Madrid and Barcelona in Spain,​​ love for soccer and the love for the nation. also affecting the supporters in Indonesia. Now look at the achievement of From the local scene, the fanatic Indonesian football in International supporters of local club is still showing competition. The last time Indonesian its existence by continuing to flood the national team won a trophy is back in stadium when their beloved team play. 2013, when the U-19 national team led by From yells and chants of supporters, Indra Sjafri won the AFF cup 2013, which is banners of support untilstadium the first title in 22 years. One year after the choreography, constantly adorn the under 19 glory, the senior national team local club matches. Fierce rivalry betwen cannot even qualified to the next round of supporters such as Persija Jakarta and the AFF 2014. In the club level, the biggest Persib Bandung is still a headline for achievement is in the semifinals of AFC national sport news when the two teams Cup 2014 where Persipura Jayapura was meet. beaten by Kuwait club, Al-Qadsia, with Although there were time when the aggregate of 10-2. Indonesian football was punished by the One achievement that is worth highest governing body of world football, noting is, the achievement by the FIFA, because of the government Indonesian Youth team. Last year, intervention on May, 2015, which led to Indonesian u-15 team were crowned as the the suspension of Indonesian football champion of Gothia Cup 2016 in Sweden. club and national team in the international Gothia Cup is the world’s largest and most competition, the Indonesian football international youth football tournament public can still maintain their enthusiasm where each year, around 1600 teams from when local clubs compete in a national 80 nations take part and they play 4500 event such as the Presidents Cup. games on 110 fields. The achievement of Let’s take a look at how people from the youth product of Indonesian football all accross the country willing to come is still promising but they must maintain to the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium or their ambition, skill and attitude. Pakansari Stadium when the Indonesian

China’s Soft Power: The Making of Football Superpower | Ganjar Ariel Santosa | 121 So the main question is how come eventhough Indonesia has not had the one of the most populated nations in the economic strength like China have now. world, where its citizen is crazy about Indonesia requires a good framework for football and everything related to football, improving the quality of national football, does not perform at the international to be able to perform in the international level? This particular question is the arena. As described in the previous same exact question when we see what paragraph, the framework includes two happens to the Chinese national football main points which is a strong commitment before the fundamental changes they and careful planning. made in the last few years. The first point relates to the What China did to improve the motivation of the national football quality of their football is something that stakeholders, which in this case, by the can be learned. So why not learn from the national football authorities PSSI and Chinese? Although Indonesian economic also the Ministry of Youth and Sports. strength is not as strong as China, still China has successfully remodel their there are several points that can be taken national football competition format, from the Chinese football improvement. Ji-A League, from a competition which By improving the quality of national was corrupted by illegal gamblings, football through soft power strategy, bribery and match fixing, into a clean China is attempting to boost national and high quality competition filled by pride as well as expanding its influence world-class players. Not only remodel in the international community. China’s the competition format, China also rid Soft Power Strategy definitely related the corrupt and unproductive human to their economic revival. In the absence resources. Indonesian football clubs of significant economic progress, China certainly can recruit world-class players in may not be able to launch their strategy the future if we provide a clean and high of soft power in the form of massive quality competition. international players recruitment, The second point is to create a investment in Europe’s major clubs and the careful planning, a roadmap to get the development of football infrastructure. desired results. In the case of China, Five But soft power strategy will also not be Year Plan number 13 is a foundation for possible without the strong commitment the Chinese national football towards a and careful planning by the Chinese more professional and more competitive government. Therefore, soft power is football scene. An ambitious blueprint a tool, where commitment and strong where football development related planning is a framework. to infrastructure and human resources Indonesia certainly can draw lessons become the main focus of national from what has been done by China, football reform with the goal of becoming a world champion in 2050.

122 | Jurnal Pertahanan & Bela Negara | April 2017, Volume 7 Nomor 1 Having such a great and careful its role globally.27 In the geopolitics planning, China not only know what to perspective, China remains a relatively do, but also able to attract a wide range of small power compared to Europe in local investors to support their programs. the world of football at the moment. This paper strongly advice that Indonesia But remember, China’s soft power has should have the same blueprint as a allowed the restructuring of geopolitical football policy reference, where national alliances in ways that will help the rise of football stakeholders in collaboration China as a global power.28 Thus, changes with academics exercise to achieve a in the geopolitical map of the world of common goal in imporving the national football is a possible thing. Construction football. If the Indonesian Ministry of of the alliance with Europe, Africa and Defence has a defense white paper which Latin America through football clubs is the formulation of the statement and and stadium diplomacy has put China as defense policy as a whole, then Indonesia a potential superpower in football in the must create a national football white future. This is consistent with their target paper. to become world champion in 2050. Last but not least, China will play a greater role in the stage of international football Conclusion that certainly will have impacts on their China’s soft power strategy in football international economy and politics. this decade focuses on three important components: (1). HR recruitment of world- class football players and managers, and (2). Heavy investment in European big football clubs. (3). Stadium Diplomacy, where China fund and construct new Stadiums for their potential economic partners in Africa and Latin America.With this strategy, China aim to achieve some results that have been implemented: (1). Improving the quality and competitiveness of the national football (2). Gain influence in international football; and (3). Strengthen their economies by expanding markets and opportunities, in the football business. 27 Alexandra Dan, “European Union, United States of America and Popular Republic of China: The China’s rise has caused a change in Impact of the National Power among the Trilateral the international system. Its economic Cooperation”, European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, 2016. power contributed to strengthening 28 Ding, op.cit., pp.234.

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