Shenyang – September 15, 2026 -- The Shenyang municipal government kicked off the fourth edition of its "Hello, Shenyang" friendly football day on September 5 at Shenyang University, part of a multi-year push to position the northeastern China city as an international hub for expatriate talent and business.
City officials and corporate teams join sport-diplomacy event
The event was jointly organized by Shenyang's Foreign Affairs Office, its Friendship Association with Foreign Countries, the Municipal Sports Bureau and Shenyang University, in partnership with the local "China Today" exhibition. Deputy Mayor Zhao Wei addressed consular representatives and foreign residents from business and academia at the opening ceremony.
Four teams competed: an elite squad fielded by BMW, international student teams from Shenyang University and Shenyang Medical College, and a youth team from Shenyang Huimin High School.
Program pairs sport with cultural showcases to retain foreign residents
Alongside the matches, organizers staged wing chun demonstrations and qipao fashion displays, plus team-building activities branded "Ultimate Football" and "Unity Challenge" aimed at foreign professionals, students and their families.
Launched in 2023, the annual event has become a recurring networking touchpoint for expatriates of varying nationalities and professions based in Shenyang. City officials frame the initiative as part of a broader strategy to improve services for international residents, attract global talent and support Shenyang's goal of becoming a recognized international metropolis in Northeast Asia.