China bids to host 2023 AFC Asian Cup

China is interested in to bid for the 2023 Asian Cup, according to an announcement posted by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) on Tuesday.

The AFC Competitions Committee recently met in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur. As reported by Xinhua, it was announced that they had received expressions of interest from China, Indonesia, South Korea and Thailand to host the AFC Asian Cup in 2023.

"The AFC will now send out the Bidding Agreement and the Host Candidate Questionnaire and seek government guarantees and legal opinion on the bids," the Committee said.

President Xi Jinping has called on China to up its game with the goals of eventually hosting and winning a World Cup.

This new drive has seen schools and government organisations looking to promote the game, while Chinese Super League clubs have lured foreign players and coaches with lucrative deals.

China hosted the Asian Cup in 2004 and reached the final, but lost 3-1 to Japan.

Source: Xinhua

Proofread by John Devlin.