In a significant diplomatic gesture, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer presented Chinese President Xi Jinping with a unique gift during his visit to Beijing on January 29: an official match ball from a recent high-stakes Premier League fixture between Manchester United and Arsenal. This act of ‘football diplomacy’ was strategically employed to strengthen Anglo-Chinese relations, capitalizing on a shared passion for the sport.
The gift holds particular resonance as Starmer is a well-known supporter of Arsenal, while President Xi is an ardent fan of Manchester United. This alignment of team loyalties offered a personal touch to the diplomatic exchange.
Prime Minister Starmer’s official visit to China marks the first by a UK leader since 2018. During his time in Beijing, the 63-year-old Prime Minister brought the special match ball with him specifically for President Xi, as reported by the SCMP. The ball was officially used in the intense Week 23 Premier League clash where Manchester United secured a thrilling 3-2 victory over Arsenal.
The thoughtful presentation of an artifact connected to two of the Premier League’s most iconic clubs is seen as a deliberate move by Starmer to foster warmer and deeper ties between China and the United Kingdom.
President Xi Jinping’s profound love for football is widely recognized, and this passion has often prompted global leaders to utilize ‘football diplomacy’ as a means of finding common ground and building rapport with the Chinese leader. The fortuitous coincidence of Starmer’s allegiance to Arsenal and Xi’s dedication to Manchester United provided a perfect opportunity for this diplomatic approach.
This instance is not the first time that Premier League teams have played a role in bilateral relations between world leaders. In 2015, during President Xi’s state visit to the UK, then-Prime Minister David Cameron accompanied the Chinese leader to Manchester City’s training ground. A memorable selfie featuring President Xi, Cameron, and former Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero became emblematic of the ‘golden era’ that was then envisioned for China-UK relations.
With a lifelong affinity for the sport, President Xi has actively championed a vision to elevate Chinese football, aiming for the national team to qualify for and ultimately win the prestigious FIFA World Cup.
Over the years, several countries hosting President Xi have presented him with football-related gifts as a way to promote friendship and strengthen international bonds. For example, during a visit to Argentina, President Xi received the famous number 10 jersey of the national team, iconic for being worn by legends such as Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona. Similarly, in Germany, former Chancellor Angela Merkel extended an invitation to President Xi and First Lady Peng Liyuan to attend a youth friendly football match between the two nations, further demonstrating the power of football as a diplomatic tool.
