He has made no secret of his determination to improve the sport's image, which has been tarnished by scandals and poor administration.
A meeting of China's Leading Group for Overall Reform, headed by President Xi Jinping, approved a reform plan to boost every area of the sport from playgrounds to stadiums and said institutional flaws hindering the game's development must be tackled.
Entitled "The overall plan for the reform of Chinese soccer," the project calls for increased public involvement and diversified training, including campus soccer and professional clubs, to develop young players and hone their skills.
It also highlights the need for an innovative approach, combining the state-run system with market forces.