Beijing,14, May - the Chinese Football Association (CFA) with Bayer and Bayer 04 Leverkusen, jointly held a press conference at the banquet hall of Marriott Beijing Hotel, which introduced the visit of Bayer 04 Leverkusen to China as well as the intent of future exchanges between China and Germany. Wei Di, Director of Football Administration Center under General Administration of Sport of China, Michael Koenig, Senior Country Representative, Bayer Greater China Group, Wolfgang Holzhäuser, GEO of Bayer 04 Leverkusen, and Rudi Völler, Head of Sports of Bayer 04 Leverkusen attended the conference.

During the conference, Wei Di, Michael Koenig, and Rudi Völler each delivered their respective speeches. As the host, Director Wei Di gave a warm welcome to Bayer 04 Leverkusen for their China tour, and said that the event would broaden the road for friendly exchanges between Chinese and German football circles.

Wei Di noted in his speech: Bayer is not only a world renowned company, but also an active sponsor and patron of German professional football, youth and disabled sports. As a top level football country, Germany won several World Cup championships. Bayer 04 Leverkusen has outstanding performance in Bundesliga and many other games. We attach great importance to the exchanges and also cherish the opportunity to cooperate with the German football circle. Since the second half of last year, CFA has been in close contact with Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Both parties have agreed to communicate and exchange views on a series of activities including coach training, youth training and bilateral exchanges of players, laying a good foundation for a strong partnership. The China visit of Bayer 04 Leverkusen serves as a good opportunity for the Chinese football circle to learn from a top level football country and team, and will have a profound and positive impact in promoting the exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and German football circles.

Bayer, with a long-standing tradition of supporting sports, is currently one of the largest sponsors in Germany for professional, recreational, youth and disabled sports. Bayer's high-tech materials enrich the sporting sector in China and, indeed, the world. In the construction of the 2008 Beijing Olympic venues, for example, Bayer’s high-tech materials played an important role in ensuring the aesthetics and durability of those facilities. World Cup football (2002 Fevernova®), which caught much fanfare also contains polyurethane from Bayer MaterialScience. 

As a responsible corporate citizen, the Bayer Group has established long-term, interactive relationships with its partners in all sectors of society. During this visit to China, Bayer 04 Leverkusen will also visit three schools in Beijing, Foshan and Shanghai in another effort to support the development of football among youth. Chilren will have an opportunity to have close contact with world renowned football stars.

“With a long history of supporting sustainable development and corporate social responsibility, Bayer has accumulated rich experience in promoting sports and football. Since Xi Jinping, Chinese Vice President, paid a visit to Bayer Group during his stay in Germany last October, Bayer has been actively working with CFA to fulfill its commitment to supporting and promoting the development of football in China,” said Michael Koenig during his speech.

Under the joint efforts of the CFA and Bayer, the Bayer 04 Leverkusen team will hold two friendly matches with China's top soccer teams in Foshan and Jiangyin. This is the first time for the Bayer Group to introduce its football team to China for sports exchange. This event will mark the start of CFA’s cooperation with Bayer as well as the beginning of Bayer’s further participation in Chinese football. This event marks the beginning of a long-term partnership between CFA and Bayer to contribute to the health development of youth sportsmanship in China and nurture future football talents.

Before the conclusion of the press conference, Chinese and German representatives exchanged gifts, symbolizing the friendship and partnership between both parties.