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Hao Haidong

Hao Haidong (born 9 May 1970) is a Chinese former professional footballer who played as a forward.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated September 11, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Hao Haidong (born 9 May 1970) is a Chinese former professional footballer who played as a forward. He is widely regarded as one of China's most prominent strikers and holds the record for most goals by a Chinese men's national team player with 40. In 2020, he gained attention for his involvement in the creation of the 'New Federal State of China' and became a controversial figure.

Early life and career

Hao Haidong was born in Qingdao, Shandong, in 1970. He entered the Bayi youth system at age 10 and later progressed into senior football with Bayi.

Club career

Hao played for Bayi and later for Dalian Wanda, becoming one of the most prominent forwards in Chinese football during the 1990s and early 2000s.

International career

Hao represented China at international level and is widely reported as the national team's all-time leading men's scorer with 40 goals.

Later public activity

In 2020, Hao participated in the announcement of the New Federal State of China, which drew significant media attention and political controversy.

Key facts

  • He played as a forward for Bayi and Dalian Wanda.
  • He was repeatedly selected for the China men's national football team.
  • He is credited with 40 international goals for China, a record for the men's national team.
  • He is described as one of China's best-known professional footballers from the 1980s to the 2000s.
  • In 2020, he became associated with the creation of the 'New Federal State of China' and was described in some sources as a dissident living in Spain.
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Canadian context

Hao Haidong is mainly relevant to Canadian readers through coverage of Chinese football and international Chinese political diaspora issues, rather than through a direct Canada-specific connection.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Hao Haidong?
He is a Chinese former professional footballer best known as a forward and as China's top men's national-team scorer.
When was Hao Haidong born?
He was born on 9 May 1970.
Where is Hao Haidong from?
He is from Qingdao, Shandong, China.
Which clubs did Hao Haidong play for?
Sources identify Bayi and Dalian Wanda as his main clubs.
What is Hao Haidong's main football record?
He is credited with 40 goals for China's men's national team, a long-standing record.
Why is Hao Haidong also known outside football?
In 2020, he appeared in the launch of the New Federal State of China, which made him a controversial public figure in addition to his sports career.

References

  1. Wikipedia (Chinese) — https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-hans/%E9%83%9D%E6%B5%B7%E4%B8%9C
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, career clubs, national-team record, and later political activity.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hao_Haidong
    Supports: Birth date, position, international footballer status, and top goalscorer claim.
  3. Deutsche Welle Chinese — https://www.dw.com/zh/%E5%91%BC%E5%94%A4%E6%96%B0%E4%B8%AD%E5%9B%BD-%E9%83%9D%E6%B5%B7%E4%B8%9C%E7%9A%84%E4%BA%BA%E7%94%9F%E8%BD%A8%E8%BF%B9/a-53694419
    Supports: Birthplace, early football development, national-team selection, and 2020 political announcement.
  4. BBC News Chinese — https://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/simp/chinese-news-52949461
    Supports: His prominence as a former football star and the public reaction to his political statements.