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Chinese firm to sponsor World Cup

By Zhang Qi (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-02-04 08:39

A leading Chinese company has become a sponsor of the world's largest soccer event.

Solar energy company Yingli Green Energy Holding Co Ltd told China Daily on Wednesday it is proud to win the right to be an official sponsor of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

Only seven to eight companies can become official sponsors of a FIFA World Cup, with each representing one industry, company executives said.

Yingli, a former private-owned company now listed on the New York Stock Exchange, represents the rapidly developing new energy industry, said Miao Liansheng, its chairman and CEO.

Its latest World Cup sponsorship also represents China's technological progress in green energy and the nation's commitment to environmental protection, Miao said.

With its headquarters based in Baoding, Hebei province, Yingli's products - mainly roof-top photovoltaic (PV) modules - are sold throughout Europe. It is one of the world's largest vertically integrated PV manufacturers and is eager to expand its distribution to North America, Latin America and Africa, Miao told China Daily.

The company has been a continuing sponsor in Spanish soccer games and doing so has given the company a remarkable boost in awareness in the local market, Miao said. But there will soon be new growths in new markets outside Europe.

"Between August and September, if not earlier, our production line in the US will be in full operation," Miao said of Yingli's manufacturing facility now being set up in Austin, Texas. "By then, we will be able to generate 500 to 600 local jobs."

The company's ambition also explains much of the company's FIFA sponsorship, which allows it to use the World Cup logo as well as to advertise its concept and services in all matching stadiums and related television broadcasts.

"It will promote green energy," said Miao, 53.

"It's also about time a Chinese company makes a splash in this way."