As January's European transfer window began to swing shut yesterday, clubs in the top two tiers of Chinese football had spent more than 200 million euros (US$216 million) collectively on players, according to website transfermarkt, which tracks commercial developments in the sport.

That was more than 60 percent higher than the total they lavished in the winter transfer market last year.

The three highest individual fees in the window so far were all paid by Chinese clubs, transfermarkt's figures show.

The spending spree comes after Xi declared that "revitalizing soccer is a must to build China into a sports powerhouse as part of the Chinese dream."

In January, Chelsea's Brazilian midfielder Ramires joined Jiangsu Suning for a Chinese Super League record 28 million euros, Hebei China Fortune bought Ivorian striker Gervinho from AS Roma for 18 million euros, and Shanghai Shenhua took Inter Milan's Colombian international Fredy Guarin for 13 million.

Some observers doubt the high rates of spending are sustainable once the enthusiasm wanes. "It is most unfortunate and equally unsurprising that this investment is concentrated at the very top of the football pyramid," said Rowan Simons, author of a book on Chinese football.

Source: china.org.cn