According to a report from Esports Observer, the China Internet Association held a Digital Esports and Intelligent Economy summit in Beijing on March 2. The China Internet Association stated their intention to start the Esports Work Council during the event. Having additional standards in place in China could serve to protect players and further standardize the industry in the country through regulations. This could also lead to potential visa benefits for athletes traveling to and from the country to compete, which has been an issue for Chinese players in the past.
“The esports industry has grown in a certain scale and level, it already has sort of a strong economic effect,” Song Maoen, Vice Secretary of the China Internet Association said.
The summit, according to ESO’s report, had the support of several Chinese government departments, including the Chinese Propaganda Dept, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the General Administration of Sport of China.