A promotional event to boost the profile of cuju, the ancient form of soccer – acknowledged as the precursor to the internationally popular game – was held on Nov 24 in Beijing, with a sub event staged in the city of Jinan, capital of East China's Shandong province on the same day.

The city of Zibo in Shandong is recognized as the birthplace of the phenomenally successful modern game of soccer, with the playing of its ancient precursor of cuju traced back to its district of Linzi. In 2004 cuju was acknowledged by FIFA – the world soccer body – as the earliest form of football.

At the ceremony Zhou Jian, Chinese Ambassador to Qatar – the Middle Eastern country currently holding the 22nd FIFA World Cup – expressed his vision that China and Qatar would strengthen their cultural and friendly exchanges thorough the promotions ceremony.

Sun Shu'e, deputy director-general of the Shangdong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, told the event that cuju could be seen as a great medium for open cooperation in cultural tourism.

Shandong's Sun Shu'e gives her views on Nov 24. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

During the activity, a video recounting the history of cuju was also released.

The foreign exchange activity included cuju exhibition games and displays in Doha, capital of Qatar, as well as a youth competition involving young Chinese and Qatari people.

The exhibition area for the ancient game of cuju in Doha. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Cuju exhibition games and exhibitions have been staged in Doha since the start of 2022 World Cup on Nov 20. Local people have been invited to wear traditional cuju clothes and try out the game.

Chinese and Qatari young people try the ancient Chinese game of cuju on Nov 21. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A China-Qatar youth football competition was held on Nov 21. Under the guidance of Li Weipeng – an inheritor of cuju who showed the playing techniques and styles – youngsters tried it out, to work out the difference between the ancient Chinese game and modern soccer.