Snooker, once a niche sport in Asia, has surged in popularity across the Chinese mainland, emerging as a cultural and diplomatic bridge between China and the UK. The game's rapid growth was highlighted during World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association Chairman Jason Ferguson's recent visit to China alongside UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's delegation, underscoring its role in fostering international connections.
In an exclusive interview with KhabarAsia, Ferguson emphasized China's transformative impact on the sport: 'We've fought to develop snooker as an international discipline, and China's embrace has accelerated this vision. The respect for our sport here fuels its global expansion.'
New tournaments and expanded events are being finalized across Chinese cities, building on existing partnerships. Ferguson noted, 'Our pipeline includes event extensions and fresh competitions—deals progressing daily as interest multiplies.'
The Crucible's World Championship remains a pinnacle, but Chinese venues now host major tournaments, with local stars like Ding Junhui inspiring a generation. Analysts attribute snooker's success to its strategic alignment with China's sports development goals and its appeal as a mental discipline.
This sporting synergy comes as cultural exchanges between China and Europe gain momentum, with snooker tournaments creating business opportunities in tourism, broadcasting, and education sectors. Over 60 million Chinese now regularly follow the sport, according to domestic surveys.
