By Harry Peart BBC sports correspondent

China has launched an ambitious initiative to become a footballing superpower.

In the biggest grass-root football project in the world, China's youth will be targeted to develop plans to compete with European and South American countries within 15 years.

It is hoped that six million young players will be taking part

Six thousand schools will take part in the first stage of the project, announced by Chinese officials in London on Monday.

The scheme is modelled on the British Schools Football initiative - with backing from a leading German investment bank.

It is also intended to provide opportunities for overseas sports-related businesses to enter the Chinese marketplace.

China is already a major player in the sporting world. In 2008 it will host the Olympic Games, and in two years time will stage its first motor racing Grand Prix.

Business opportunity

The country had its taste of football's biggest stage at the recent World Cup in South Korea and Japan - but returned home after three defeats and having scored no goals.

Many in China are passionate about football

The new project is designed to mobilise China's vast array of human resources. In a country which has a population of 370 million under the age of 18, the first stage will involve the introduction of football into schools in 12 major cities.

The scheme ranges from coaching to competitive matches, and special events for those aspiring to become professional players.

It is hoped that six million young players will be taking part by the end of the third year of the scheme.

The project - which is supported by Deutschebank - is also designed to present a new commercial opportunity for European and American businesses to break into the Chinese sports market.

Through television, there is already a major interest in football in China. The new initiative is intended to turn that interest into world class talent on the field.