Although the Chinese soccer team was absent from the 2010 South Africa World Cup, Chinese brands and products were almost ubiquitous and are continuing to serve the needs of the world after the month-long extravaganza.

A green sponsor

Unlike other sponsors adorning their pavilions with football-related decorations, Chinese solar energy company Yingli Green Energy Holding Co. Ltd., using the Yingli Solar name, built a carbon neutral commercial display outside Johannesburg's Soccer City stadium where the opening and closing ceremonies of the World Cup were held. The display featured a solar panel roof supported by green bamboo pillars. Also, performers enacted traditional Chinese lion dances in front of the pavilion and many football fans posed with the two lions for photographs.

Yingli Solar's advertisement appeared during 64 World Cup matches in 10 stadiums, for eight minutes during each match. As an official sponsor of the 2010 World Cup, Yingli was authorized to use its logo alongside the Féderation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) logo. The company, the first Chinese sponsor of the World Cup, advertised its brand to worldwide audiences on World Cup tickets, on digital billboards surrounding the soccer fields and in print media.

After the World Cup ended, Yingli Vice President Liu Yaocheng flew from South Africa to the United States to attend an international solar energy expo in San Francisco.

Liu told People's Daily Yingli showcased in Johannesburg a solar power system that can generate nearly 1,500 kwh of power a year, cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 1.5 tons for the same amount of power generated by other methods–the amount discharged by a family sedan during a 10,000-km trip. Visitors showed great interest in the system. "Many people had their photos taken in front of the Chinese-made solar power equipment," Liu said.

Yingli has focused on new energy investment and development since 1998. It is engaged in the manufacturing of photovoltaic modules for a wide range of world markets.

Talking about Yingli Solar's debut at the World Cup, Liu said his company invested in the World Cup to join FIFA in a "green campaign" while promoting its own brand. FIFA General Secretary Jérôme Valcke said Yingli was the first green energy company to collaborate with FIFA, which has advocated "green" concepts for the past eight years.

Thoughtful service

In the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, nearly all the 50,000 seats were made in China and installed by Chinese workers.

Zhejiang Dafeng Sports Equipment Co. Ltd. was chosen to provide the seats by the mayor of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality during his visit to China. Considering South Africans like singing and dancing while watching soccer games, the company enhanced the seats' safety and sturdiness. The company also made the seats more durable because of the weathering effects of the city's ocean climate.

The stadium was still being built when Chinese workers began to install the seats, said Nelson Mandela Bay 2010 World Cup Executive Director Errol Heynes. They worked so fast they soon moved ahead of the schedule. As a result, constructors had to ask them to wait for them to catch up. With the "Chinese speed" at work, the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium was the first one completed and opened for use of all the stadiums for the tournament.

China also provided South Africa with air conditioning systems for World Cup venues. The Organizing Committee of the 2010 South Africa World Cup purchased more than 200 million yuan ($30 million) worth of air conditioners from Zhuhai-based Gree Home Appliances Inc. Their air conditioners were used in the Soccer City stadium, including competition and training venues, as well as offices. Gree also undertook other projects in South Africa, such as the central air conditioning system for one of the Protea chain of hotels, and the air conditioning and ventilation systems for the Gautrain high-speed railway trains in Gauteng Province. Competiveness and efficiency were the main reasons Gree won the bids for these projects, said company executives. During June and July it was winter in South Africa, and there was a day-night temperature difference of more than 10 degrees Celsius, which called for enhanced air conditioning adaptability. After reviewing its tender, the Organizing Committee of the 2010 South Africa World Cup asked Gree to modify its sample air conditioners. The company complied and impressed the organizers by completing modifications to its technology in 10 days.

Products made in China helped make the World Cup a success.

Vuvuzelas from China

Smaller commodities from China also proved popular during the South Africa World Cup. For instance, soccer fans who watched the games blew vuvuzelas made in China. The plastic horns were still bestsellers in South African stores, even when their prices soared to more than 100 rand ($13) each. Ninety percent of the vuvuzelas used during the World Cup were made in China, and a company in Yiwu, Zhejiang Province, produced more than 1 million of them. These South African gadgets gained worldwide fame during the World Cup and are now sold in many parts of the world, including Britain.

The jabulani, the official ball for the World Cup, was also made in China. By May, Chinese manufacturers had produced 12 million for World Cup matches and commercial sales. Jabulani balls took pride of place in sports equipment shops across South Africa during the World Cup.

Many Zakumi mascots as well as wigs, glow sticks, national flags and bracelets were also from China. South Korean media claimed China was the biggest winner of the World Cup despite the absence of its soccer team.

Chinese companies will remain in South Africa now the World Cup is over. Local media said Yingli will build South Africa's first large solar power station near Cape Town in collaboration with a South African company.

The success stories of Sinosteel Corporation, Hisense Group and other Chinese companies in South Africa are drawing more Chinese investors to the rainbow nation. South African magazine Financial Mail said in a recent report South Africa is witnessing a surge in Chinese investment, which is good news for the country economically. Moreover, as the South African Government has adopted a "looking eastward" policy, cooperation between South Africa and China appears set to make even greater strides in the future.