Meanwhile Chelsea who arranged the QPR-China Match Are Set For China!

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AFP - Chelsea heading to China in 2008

BEIJING - A full-strength Chelsea squad will tour China next year as part of its long-term plans to forge links with the world's most populous nation.

The announcement culminates Chelsea's hosting of China's Olympic team over the past fortnight on a tour marred by a mass brawl in a match against Queens Park Rangers.

Chelsea's business affairs director Paul Smith said the Premier League champions were committed to helping China develop its football and would tour in the year Beijing hosts the Olympics.

"Team China have been excellent guests and we have really enjoyed their visit. We hope we have been hosts of a similar calibre because next year the process will be reversed," he was quoted as saying on the Chelsea website.

"As part of our commitment to developing football in China, Chelsea will be touring in China in 2008.

"We will be taking our first team and playing games on the mainland."

He added that while Chelsea wanted to forge links between the club and China, it would also aid development of the Chinese game.

"This is a long term project and Team China is a work in progress. Hopefully we are witnessing the development of the team day-by-day."

Chelsea are in partnership with the Chinese Football Association to train grassroots players, and also have their eye on the country's huge untapped market.

Last month, it signed an agreement with top Chinese Internet portal Sina.com to become the first premiership club to set up a website in Chinese run from China.

Chelsea's involvement in Asia is part of chief executive Peter Kenyon's plan launched in 2004 to make his club the world's more recognizable brand in football within 10 years.

It started with a huge shirt sponsorship deal with South Korean conglomerate Samsung in 2005.

China manager Li Xiaoguang said his side had learned a lot from its time with Chelsea.

"As we all know, the United Kingdom is the home of the modern football game," he said.

"As we have had the chance to train in Chelsea Football Club, our players have had the chance to broaden their horizons and improve their levels.

"We have laid a wonderful foundation for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games."

China's team has spent the past two weeks based at Chelsea's training headquarters but their tour was overshadowed by a brawl involving more than 30 players and members of the coaching staff from both their side and QPR.

Seven Chinese players were sent home with the China Football Association vowing "strict" punishment.

The rest of the team flies home later this week. AFP

BBC - Chelsea plan 2008 tour of China

Business affairs director Paul Smith and Jose Mourinho are eyeing a lucrative tour to China
Premiership champions Chelsea have confirmed they will embark on a tour of China next year.
The club have previously discussed expanding the Chelsea brand globally, especially in Asia and America.

Chelsea also view their link with China as an opportunity to help the country's football development.

Business affairs director Paul Smith said: "We will take our first team and play games on the mainland. We see this as a long-term project."

Chelsea are in partnership with the Chinese Football Association to train grassroots players and also have their eye on the country's huge untapped market.

Team China have spent the past two weeks based at the Blues' Cobham training headquarters as part of a two-week tour that forms part of their preparations for the Olympics in Beijing next year.

Seven players from the China squad were sent home after a mass brawl during a friendly with QPR last Wednesday. BBC

CHELSEA OFFICIAL SITE - Chelsea China Bound in 2008
Mon, 12th Feb 2007

Chelsea Football Club has used the occasion of a reception for Team China to announce that we will be touring in China in 2008.

In addition to the Team China players and officials, who are guests of Chelsea FC as they prepare for the Beijing Olympics, the event at Stamford Bridge on Monday evening was attended by representatives of the Chinese Embassy and the Mayor of London's office, plus members of the Chelsea side that played China back in 1979.

Paul Smith (pictured right), Chelsea's business affairs director, was the person to break the news of next year's visit when he spoke at the reception.

He said: 'Team China have been excellent guests and we have really enjoyed their visit. We hope we have been hosts of a similar calibre because next year the process will be reversed. Chelsea