In 1982, he would make his debut for the Chinese national team, however he would rise to prominence in the 1984 AFC Asian Cup where China finished runners up and Jia was personally named as the Asian Cup Most Valuable Player. A constant regular within the team Jia would captain the team from 1987 until 1992 where he led China in an unsuccessful FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign as well as the 1988 and 1992 AFC Asian Cup, eventually achieving 55 caps for his country. He was also part of the Chinese team at the 1988 Summer Olympics.