SANYA - A partnership between AC Milan and China Next Generation Education Foundation (CNGEF) was launched on Wednesday in Sanya, China's Hainan province to help improve the level of China's youth football.

As an important part of CNGEF's "Children's Football Development Plan," the one-year project "Children's Football Development Plan - AC Milan campus soccer" will start in June in 39 schools located in Beijing, Changchun, Sanya, Guangzhou, Dongguan and other cities across China.

According to Zhang Lu, a well-known football commentator in the country, the Children's Football Development Plan aims to promote football in schools rather than fostering future professional playing talents. As such, it will focus on the all-round development of children.

"AC Milan is not only a football club, but also a symbol of the footballing spirit," said Li Yonghong, President of AC Milan Football Club. "We hope that AC Milan will become a bridge. Chinese football and the club need each other," Li added.