The Xiamen International Youth Soccer Tournament kicked off at the Gulangyu People's Stadium last Friday.
A total of 19 teams from international schools in Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Xiamen competed in the two-day event for students between five and 13 years old. Teams were divided into three age groups -- under 9, under 11 and under 13.
Teams from Shanghai took the top two spots in the contests for the oldest two age groups. A Hong Kong team won the youngest category, with a team from Xiamen nabbing the runner-up spot.
Hosted by Pacific Sports, the tournament debuted in 2012 as a competition for Xiamen's international schools. The tourney expanded to schools from other areas in 2014. The youth soccer tournament is held annually in May on Gulangyu.
China announced and implemented on May 15 a policy allowing visa-free entry of foreign tourist groups aboard cruise ships via all cruise ship ports along the country's coastline.
China and Georgia are set to waive visa requirements for travelers starting May 28.
