2015年CRI King Willem-Alexander Attends Football Promotional Activity in Beijing（在线收听）

The King has been joined at the event by retired Dutch national goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, who says football in China needs to be developed and nurtured.

"I think it's sustainable. That's the right work you need. It's not about buying big players into the super league. It's focus on the grassroots football and schools and getting good coaches that can help. And grow better players in China."

The Dutch football legends says playing football don't have to be a profession.

"Yeah, you know, I think don't look at it as a job or make it a profession. I think it's important to first create series of football schools or environment where kids can play football. And study and play football. Don't just looking at it making money or something else. It's just start to play football from there on. With the sheer amount of students you have in China, every year should be able to develop to a certain point and create good players."

Huang Jianxiang, sports commentator and co-founder of Sport8 International, says they're working with their Dutch partners to get more young people in China involved in organized football.

"All we have to do is to let Children have fun in football. That's very important and everything starts from having fun. And then the right method, the right way to organize a club. A training session is also very important. So we are going to work with our Dutch partners for years to help more Chinese children, their parents and their teachers to know what is the right thing to do when we want our Chinese children to play football."

The Chinese government launched an action plan last year to try to upgrade China's skill level in international football through youth development programs.

Despite having the largest population in the world to choose from, China's national men's football team currently ranks 81st in the world.

For CRI, I'm Victor Ning.