China Esports Weekly: Chinese Government Releases Qualification Standards for Esports Professions, Morris Garages Sponsors Bilibili Gaming
With the Chinese New Year celebrations coming to an end, businesses reopening, and most employees returning to work from the break, China’s economic momentum is set to pick up steam in the second half of February. Likewise, after a tepid week of events and activities, China’s esports industry is kicking off the Year of the Ox with a series of exciting developments.
Among the top stories: China’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security has released vocational skill and qualification standards for esports professions; Team Fire (Huobao Esports) became the first all-women professional esports team to compete in the King G-League; Castrol has partnered with King Pro League as an official sponsor; Morris Garages teamed up with Bilibili Gaming (BLG).
Chinese Government Releases Forward Vocational Skill and Qualification Standards for Esports Professions
China’s Ministry of Labor and Social Security unveiled vocational skill and qualification standards for esports, as well as six other emerging professions. According to the ministry, the promulgated standardization of professional esports activities and knowledge is expected to improve professional training and skill appraisal, paving the way for a more mature esports industry with greater clarity, predictability, and consistency.
Professional standards shall be created for and by the profession to guide activities and direct how practitioners are prepared, developed, and assessed. This is supposed to foster uniformity, forming a matrix of rules and regulations that underpin the viability and sustainability of the profession.
The publication of vocational standards for esports professionals shows the authorities’ determination to maneuver in an emerging industry that is set to grow significantly in the next decade. As one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing economies, China is positioning itself to lead in the global esports industry that has not been dominated by the West.
Team Fire (Huobao Esports) to Compete in King G-League as the First All-Women Professional Esports Team
The King G-League (KGL), the development league of Tencent’s King Pro League (KPL), announced that Team Fire (Huobao Esports) had become the first women’s team to compete in the league. The other two newly-qualified esports teams, SZG and XYG, will join Team Fire to debut in the league’s spring season, starting on March 9.
With few exceptions such as North American Cloud 9’s Valorant Team MAJKL, Dignitas’ CS: GO and Valorant dual-title team Dignitas Fe, the role of women in professional esports is still very much unrecognized and undervalued. The majority of esports titles are customarily promoted with a sole focus on the needs and preferences of male consumers with many esports competitions not optimized for women who are often marginalized as inauthentic and inconsistent.
The inclusion of an all-women team in a male-dominated esports league could be a catalyst in advancing women’s presence in professional esports. Honor of Kings is making remarkable strides through a concerted effort to include women in their games while ensuring those with aspirations to become professional players will be supported in the scene. It appears that more resources and support will be provided, and more conscious decisions will be made to facilitate the professionalization of women’s esports.
Other Esports Business News:
- King Pro League (KPL) reached a sponsorship deal with Castrol, a British brand of industrial and automotive lubricants. The partnership will position Castrol as the official motor oil sponsor of the league.
- SAIC Motor’s automobile brand Morris Garages (MG) signed a business partnership with Bilibili Gaming (BLG) for its League of Legends Pro League (LPL) team. This exclusive automobile sponsorship will allow MG to place its logo on the right shoulder of team jerseys.
