English Premiership champions Chelsea are looking for access to the Chinese market by co-operating with the Chinese Football Association (CFA), with the aim of helping China's 2008 Olympic team.

Club heads said the CFA is its first choice of a partner in China.

"I noticed that a lot of European clubs are trying to be linked to Chinese clubs but we want to partner and work with a governing body rather than a club," said Peter Kenyon, CEO of Chelsea yesterday in Beijing.

"We thought that could have the most impact and be more beneficial rather than a single entertainment."

Kenyon is among a big delegation headed by London Mayor Ken Livingstone, on a three-day visit to view China's preparations for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. He was appointed as the ambassador of London, host city of the 2012 Olympic Games.

A number of European clubs including Manchester United and Real Madrid have visited China in recent years with ambitions to develop the Chinese market.

Apart from commercial matches, those clubs have already reaped certain business successes in China such as launching merchandise stores in China.

But there are no such plans for Chelsea to host any commercial matches in China in the near future. Chelsea are the current premiership runaway leaders and last season's champions. They lead second-placed Manchester United by seven points.

"We are aware of a number of European teams having visited China.

"But we want to build a strong foundation in China and that's why we are looking to work with and build co-operation with the CFA."

Kenyon said their month-long discussions with the CFA have nothing to do with anything commercial.

"The discussions with Xie has been along the lines of supporting China's football in general, specifically with regard to the 2008 Olympic team," he said.

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