Youth academy of 1. FC Union Berlin cheers for its ninth Chinese–German U16 Football Tournament championship in Nantong on Aug 4. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

The ninth Chinese–German U16 Football Tournament came to a close on Aug 4, with the youth academy of 1. FC Union Berlin claiming the championship after defeating Jiangsu U16 in the final in Nantong, Jiangsu province.

Yangzhou U16 took third place in the four-day competition, which featured eight teams from the two countries and 16 matches.

Off the pitch, the German delegation visited the Nantong Museum, Dasheng Cotton Mills and Tangzha Ancient Town, gaining an immersive introduction to the city's culture and heritage. The young Germans also participated in hands-on activities involving intangible cultural heritage crafts, deepening their appreciation of Chinese folk traditions.

According to the organizers, both sides plan to continue youth training exchanges and team visits to strengthen mutual learning and friendship among young people from the two countries.

This year's tournament was sponsored by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the German-Chinese Friendship Association of the Rhine-Neckar Metropolitan Region, and organized by the Jiangsu People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Nantong People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.