Stadium diplomacy refers to the construction of stadiums and sports facilities in other nations as a form of foreign aid. China is the most prominent practitioner of this strategy, using it as a form of soft power to bolster diplomatic ties. [1] [2] [3] The practice dates back to at least 1958, when China funded the National Sports Stadium in Mongolia. [4]
The following includes overseas stadiums and sports facilities that were either donated outright or built with financial assistance from the Chinese government, typically in the form of grants, concessional loans, or other aid-linked financing in cooperation with the host country. [2] Projects carried out solely by Chinese construction firms on commercial terms, without financing support from the Chinese government, are not included.