# Chinese football clubs in international competitions

Chinese football clubs has participated in Asian association football competitions (AFC Champions League/Asian Club Championship and the Asian Cup Winners' Cup) and other international competitions (FIFA Club World Cup and A3 Champions Cup) since 1985, when the Asian Club Championship returned to Asia for the first time in 14 years.
Liaoning is the first club who won the Asian champion in 1990, and Guangzhou Evergrande is the most successful club with 2 AFC Champions League titles. Defunct club Dalian Shide also got a runners-up in 1997–98 Asian Club Championship.

## Qualification rules

| Competition | Who qualifies | Notes |
| AFC Champions League group stage | Chinese Super League 1st | |
| AFC Champions League group stage | Chinese Super League 2nd | |
| AFC Champions League group stage | Chinese FA Cup winners | |
| AFC Champions League play-off round | Chinese Super League 3rd | If the Chinese FA Cup winners have already qualified for AFC Champions League by a high Super League finish, then the next highest-finishing Super League club gets this place. |

## Multiple Asian and worldwide competition winners from China

| Team | Number of Wins | Years |
| Guangzhou Evergrande | 2 | 2013, 2015 |
| Liaoning | 1 | 1990 |

## Full Asian record
### AFC Champions League/Asian Club Championship

Chinese teams have won the competition 3 times and reached the final on 2 other occasions.
| Year | Team | Progress | Score | Opponents | Place(s) |
| 1985-86 | Liaoning | 3rd in qualifying tournament | N/A | Seiko, April 25 | Seiko, April 25 |
| 1986 | Liaoning | 3rd in final round | N/A | Furukawa Electric, Al-Hilal, Al-Talaba | Furukawa Electric, Al-Hilal, Al-Talaba |
| 1987 | August 1st | 4th in group stage | N/A | Yomiuri FC, Federal Territory, Kazma | Yomiuri FC, Federal Territory, Kazma |
| 1988-89 | Guangdong | 2rd in semi final league | N/A | Al-Rasheed, Kazma, Mohun Bagan | Al-Rasheed, Kazma, Mohun Bagan |
| 1989-90 | Liaoning | Winners | 3–2 | Nissan Yokohama | 2–1 in Yokohama, 1–1 in Shenyang |
| 1989-90 | Liaoning | Final | 1–2 | Esteghlal | Dhaka |
| 1991 | Liaoning | First round | 2–3 | April 25 | 1–0 in Shenyang, 1–3 in Pyongyang |
| 1992-93 | Liaoning | Third round | 4–4 (a) | Yomiuri FC | 3–3 in Chengdu, 1–1 in Tokyo |
| 1993-94 | Liaoning | Third place match | 1–4 | Verdy Kawasaki | Bangkok |
| 1994-95 | Liaoning | 3rd in quarter-finals | N/A | Ilhwa Chunma, Thai Farmers Bank, Verdy Kawasaki | Ilhwa Chunma, Thai Farmers Bank, Verdy Kawasaki |
| 1995 | Withdrew (Dalian Wanda) | Withdrew (Dalian Wanda) | Withdrew (Dalian Wanda) | Withdrew (Dalian Wanda) | Withdrew (Dalian Wanda) |
| 1996-97 | Shanghai Shenhua | First round | 0–1 | Cheonan Ilhwa Chunma | 0–0 in Seongnam, 0–1 in Shanghai |
| 1997-98 | Dalian Wanda | Final | 0–0 (5–6 p) | Pohang Steelers | Hong Kong |
| 1998-99 | Dalian Wanda | Third place match | 2–3 | Al-Ain | Tehran |
| 1999-2000 | Withdrew (Dalian Wanda) | Withdrew (Dalian Wanda) | Withdrew (Dalian Wanda) | Withdrew (Dalian Wanda) | Withdrew (Dalian Wanda) |
| 2000-01 | Shandong Luneng | 3rd in quarter-finals | N/A | Júbilo Iwata, Suwon Samsung Bluewings, PSM Makassar | Júbilo Iwata, Suwon Samsung Bluewings, PSM Makassar |
| 2001-02 | Dalian Shide | 3rd in quarter-finals | N/A | Suwon Samsung Bluewings, Anyang LG Cheetahs, Kashima Antlers | Suwon Samsung Bluewings, Anyang LG Cheetahs, Kashima Antlers |
| 2002-03 | Shanghai Shenhua | 3rd in group stage | N/A | BEC Tero Sasana, Daejeon Citizen, Kashima Antlers | BEC Tero Sasana, Daejeon Citizen, Kashima Antlers |
| 2002-03 | Dalian Shide | Semi-finals | 6–7 | Al-Ain | 2–4 in Al Ain, 4–3 in Dalian |
| 2004 | Shanghai Shenhua | 3rd in group stage | N/A | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Jubilo Iwata, BEC Tero | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Jubilo Iwata, BEC Tero |
| 2004 | Dalian Shide | Quarter-finals | 1–2 | Al-Ittihad | 1–1 in Dalian, 0–1 in Jeddah |
| 2005 | Shandong Luneng | Quarter-finals | 3–8 | Al-Ittihad | 1–1 in Jinan, 2–7 in Jeddah |
| 2005 | Shenzhen Jianlibao | Semi-finals | 0–6 | Al-Ain | 0–6 in Al Ain, 0–0 in Shenzhen |
| 2006 | Dalian Shide | 2nd in group stage | N/A | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Gamba Osaka, Da Nang | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Gamba Osaka, Da Nang |
| 2006 | Shanghai Shenhua | Quarter-finals | 3–4 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | 1–0 in Shanghai, 2–4 in Jeonju |
| 2007 | Shanghai Shenhua | 4th in group stage | N/A | Urawa Red Diamonds, Sydney FC, Persik Kediri | Urawa Red Diamonds, Sydney FC, Persik Kediri |
| 2007 | Shandong Luneng | 2nd in group stage | N/A | Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma, Adelaide United, Gach Dong Tam Long An | Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma, Adelaide United, Gach Dong Tam Long An |
| 2008 | Beijing Guoan | 2nd in group stage | N/A | Kashima Antlers, Krung Thai Bank, Nam Định | Kashima Antlers, Krung Thai Bank, Nam Định |
| 2008 | Changchun Yatai | 2nd in group stage | N/A | Adelaide United, Pohang Steelers, Bình Dương | Adelaide United, Pohang Steelers, Bình Dương |
| 2009 | Beijing Guoan | 4th in group stage | N/A | Nagoya Grampus, Newcastle Jets, Ulsan Hyundai | Nagoya Grampus, Newcastle Jets, Ulsan Hyundai |
| 2009 | Shandong Luneng | 3rd in group stage | N/A | Gamba Osaka, FC Seoul, Sriwijaya | Gamba Osaka, FC Seoul, Sriwijaya |
| 2009 | Shanghai Shenhua | 3rd in group stage | N/A | Kashima Antlers, Suwon Samsung Bluewings, Singapore Armed Forces | Kashima Antlers, Suwon Samsung Bluewings, Singapore Armed Forces |
| 2009 | Tianjin Teda | 3rd in group stage | N/A | Pohang Steelers, Kawasaki Frontale, Central Coast Mariners | Pohang Steelers, Kawasaki Frontale, Central Coast Mariners |
| 2010 | Henan Jianye | 4th in group stage | N/A | Suwon Samsung Bluewings, Gamba Osaka, Singapore Armed Forces | Suwon Samsung Bluewings, Gamba Osaka, Singapore Armed Forces |
| 2010 | Shandong Luneng | 4th in group stage | N/A | Adelaide United, Pohang Steelers, Sanfrecce Hiroshima | Adelaide United, Pohang Steelers, Sanfrecce Hiroshima |
| 2010 | Changchun Yatai | 3rd in group stage | N/A | Kashima Antlers, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Persipura Jayapura | Kashima Antlers, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Persipura Jayapura |
| 2010 | Beijing Guoan | Round of 16 | 0–2 | Suwon Samsung Bluewings | Suwon |
| 2011 | Shanghai Shenhua | 4th in group stage | N/A | Suwon Samsung Bluewings, Kashima Antlers, Sydney FC | Suwon Samsung Bluewings, Kashima Antlers, Sydney FC |
| 2011 | Hangzhou Greentown | 4th in group stage | N/A | FC Seoul, Nagoya Grampus, Al-Ain | FC Seoul, Nagoya Grampus, Al-Ain |
| 2011 | Shandong Luneng | 3rd in group stage | N/A | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Cerezo Osaka, Arema | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Cerezo Osaka, Arema |
| 2011 | Tianjin Teda | Round of 16 | 0–3 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | Jeonju |
| 2012 | Liaoning Whowin | Play-off round | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew |
| 2012 | Shanghai Shenhua | 4th in group stage | N/A | Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma, Nagoya Grampus, Central Coast Mariners | Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma, Nagoya Grampus, Central Coast Mariners |
| 2012 | Beijing Guoan | 4th in group stage | N/A | Ulsan Hyundai, FC Tokyo, Brisbane Roar | Ulsan Hyundai, FC Tokyo, Brisbane Roar | Ulsan Hyundai, FC Tokyo, Brisbane Roar |
| 2012 | Guangzhou Evergrande | Quarter-finals | 4–5 | Al-Ittihad | 2–4 in Jeddah, 2–1 in Guangzhou |
| 2013 | Jiangsu Sainty | 3rd in group stage | N/A | FC Seoul, Buriram United, Vegalta Sendai | FC Seoul, Buriram United, Vegalta Sendai |
| 2013 | Guizhou Renhe | 3rd in group stage | N/A | Kashiwa Reysol, Central Coast Mariners, Suwon Samsung Bluewings | Kashiwa Reysol, Central Coast Mariners, Suwon Samsung Bluewings |
| 2013 | Beijing Guoan | Round of 16 | 1–3 | FC Seoul | 0–0 in Beijing, 1–3 in Seoul |
| 2013 | Guangzhou Evergrande | Winners | 3–3 (a) | FC Seoul | 2–2 in Seoul, 1–1 in Guangzhou |
| 2014 | Guizhou Renhe | 4th in group stage | N/A | Western Sydney Wanderers, Kawasaki Frontale, Ulsan Hyundai | Western Sydney Wanderers, Kawasaki Frontale, Ulsan Hyundai |
| 2014 | Shandong Luneng | 4th in group stage | N/A | Pohang Steelers, Cerezo Osaka, Buriram United | Pohang Steelers, Cerezo Osaka, Buriram United |
| 2014 | Beijing Guoan | 3rd in group stage | N/A | FC Seoul, Sanfrecce Hiroshima, Central Coast Mariners | FC Seoul, Sanfrecce Hiroshima, Central Coast Mariners |
| 2014 | Guangzhou Evergrande | Quarter-finals | 2–2 (a) | Western Sydney Wanderers | 0–1 in Sydney, 2–1 in Guangzhou |
| 2015 | Guangzhou R&F | 4th in group stage | N/A | Gamba Osaka, Seongnam FC, Buriram United | Gamba Osaka, Seongnam FC, Buriram United |
| 2015 | Shandong Luneng | 3rd in group stage | N/A | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Becamex Bình Dương, Kashiwa Reysol | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Becamex Bình Dương, Kashiwa Reysol |
| 2015 | Beijing Guoan | Round of 16 | 1–2 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | 1–1 in Jeonju, 0–1 in Beijing |
| 2015 | Guangzhou Evergrande | Winners | 1–0 | Al-Ahli | 0–0 in Dubai, 1–0 in Guangzhou |
| 2016 | Guangzhou Evergrande | 3rd in group stage | N/A | Sydney FC, Urawa Red Diamonds, Pohang Steelers | Sydney FC, Urawa Red Diamonds, Pohang Steelers |
| 2016 | Jiangsu Suning | 3rd in group stage | N/A | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Becamex Binh Duong, FC Tokyo | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Becamex Binh Duong, FC Tokyo |
| 2016 | Shanghai SIPG | Quarter-finals | 0–5 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | 0–0 in Shanghai, 0–5 in Jeonju |
| 2016 | Shandong Luneng | Quarter-finals | 2–4 | FC Seoul | 1–3 in Seoul, 1–1 in Jinan |
| 2017 | Shanghai Shenhua | Play-off round | 0–2 | Brisbane Roar | Shanghai |
| 2017 | Jiangsu Suning | Round of 16 | 3–5 | Shanghai SIPG | 1–2 in Shanghai, 2–3 in Nanjing |
| 2017 | Guangzhou Evergrande | Quarter-finals | 5–5 (4–5 p) | Shanghai SIPG | 0–4 in Shanghai, 5–1 in Guangzhou |
| 2017 | Shanghai SIPG | Semi-finals | 1–2 | Urawa Red Diamonds | 1–1 in Shanghai, 0–1 in Saitama |
| 2018 | Shanghai Shenhua | 4th in group stage | N/A | Sydney FC, Kashima Antlers, Suwon Samsung Bluewings | Sydney FC, Kashima Antlers, Suwon Samsung Bluewings |
| 2018 | Guangzhou Evergrande | Round of 16 | 2–2 (a) | Tianjin Quanjian | 0–0 in Tianjin, 2–2 in Guangzhou |
| 2018 | Shanghai SIPG | Round of 16 | 3–4 | Kashima Antlers | 1–3 in Kashima, 2–1 in Shanghai |
| 2018 | Tianjin Quanjian | Quarter-finals | 0–5 | Kashima Antlers | 0–2 in Kashima, 0–3 in Macau |
| 2019 | Beijing FC | 3rd in group stage | N/A | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Urawa Red Diamonds, Buriram United | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Urawa Red Diamonds, Buriram United |
| 2019 | Shandong Luneng | Round of 16 | 4–4 (5–6 p) | Guangzhou Evergrande | 1–2 in Guangzhou, 3–2 in Jinan |
| 2019 | Shanghai SIPG | Quarter-finals | 3–3 (a) | Urawa Red Diamonds | 2–2 in Shanghai, 1–1 in Saitama |
| 2019 | Guangzhou Evergrande | Semi-finals | 0–3 | Urawa Red Diamonds | 0–2 in Saitama, 0–1 in Guangzhou |
| 2020 | Guangzhou Evergrande | | | | |
| 2020 | Shanghai Shenhua | | | | |
| 2020 | Beijing FC | | | | |
| 2020 | Shanghai SIPG | | | | |

### Asian Cup Winners' Cup

The Asian Cup Winners' Cup was an association football competition run by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). The competition was started in 1991 as a tournament for all the domestic cup winners from countries affiliated to the AFC. The winners of the Cup Winners Cup used to contest the Asian Super Cup against the winners of the Asian Champions' Cup. The most successful clubs in the competition are Al Hilal from Saudi Arabia and Nissan FC from Japan. In 2002, it merged with the Asian Clubs Championship to form the AFC Champions League.
Chinese team Dalian Shide reached the final in the season of 2000-01.
| Year | Team | Progress | Score | Opponents | Place(s) |
| 1990-91 | Dalian | Second round | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew |
| 1991-92 | None entered |
| 1992-93 | None entered |
| 1993-94 | Dalian | First round | 1–2 | South China | 0–2 in Hong Kong, 1–0 in Shanghai |
| 1994-95 | None entered |
| 1995 | None entered |
| 1996-97 | None entered |
| 1997-98 | Beijing Guoan | Third place match | 4–1 | Köpetdag Aşgabat | Riyadh |
| 1998-99 | Beijing Guoan | Second round | 0–4 | Chunnam Dragons | 0–2 in Beijing, 0–2 in Gwangyang |
| 1999-2000 | Shanghai Shenhua | Second round | 0–2 | Shimizu S-Pulse | 0–0 in Shanghai, 0–2 in Shizuoka |
| 2000-01 | Dalian Shide | Final | 2–4 | Al-Shabab | Jeddah |
| 2001-02 | Chongqing Lifan | Third place match | 0–0 (6–7 p) | Al-Sadd | Doha |

### A3 Champions Cup

A3 Champions Cup (also known as East Asian Champions Cup) was an annual football (soccer) tournament jointly organized by the China PR, Japan and Korea Republic football Association. It began in 2003, involving the league champions of China, Japan and South Korea. The host nation also invited an additional team, making this a four team tournament.
Chinese team Shanghai Shenhua won the competition in 2007.
| Year | Team | Progress | Opponents | Place(s) |
| 2003 | Dalian Shide | Runners-up | Kashima Antlers, Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma, Júbilo Iwata | Tokyo |
| 2004 | Inter Shanghai | 4th place | Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma, Yokohama F. Marinos | Shanghai |
| 2004 | Shanghai Shenhua | 3rd place | Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma, Yokohama F. Marinos | Shanghai |
| 2005 | Shenzhen Jianlibao | 4th place | Suwon Samsung Bluewings, Pohang Steelers, Yokohama F. Marinos | Jeju |
| 2006 | Dalian Shide | 4th place | Ulsan Hyundai, Gamba Osaka, JEF United Chiba | Tokyo |
| 2007 | Shandong Luneng | Runners-up | Urawa Red Diamonds, Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma | Jinan |
| 2007 | Shanghai Shenhua | Winners | Urawa Red Diamonds, Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma | Jinan |

## Full international record
### FIFA Club World Cup

Chinese team Guangzhou Evergrande has won 2 AFC Champions League titles in 2013 and 2015, which made them qualifying to the FIFA Club World Cup as the representative of Asian clubs. In the 2013 FIFA Club World Cup, they entered in the quarterfinals, beating the African champions Al Ahly 2–0. In the semi-finals, they were defeated by the European champions Bayern Munich 3–0. In the third place match, the club lost against South American champions Atlético Mineiro 3–2 and finished in fourth place. In the 2015 FIFA Club World Cup, Guangzhou won 2–1 against Club América in the quarterfinals before losing 3–0 against Barcelona in the semi-finals. At the end, Guangzhou lost the third place match 2–1 against Hiroshima Sanfrecce, ending up in the same position as in the 2013 edition.
| Year | Team | Progress | Score | Opponents | Place(s) |
| 2013 | Guangzhou Evergrande | Third place match | 2–3 | Atlético Mineiro | Marrakesh |
| 2015 | Guangzhou Evergrande | Third place match | 1–2 | Sanfrecce Hiroshima | Yokohama |