An Qi originally started his senior career with Guangzhou Matsunichi before he was called up to the Chinese U20 team that took part in the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship.
[4] After another spot-kick goal against Changchun Yatai on July 2 in a 2–1 defeat, An Qi was able to play at the highest level of Chinese football once again when top-tier side Xiamen Blue Lions decided to sign him and make him their first choice goalkeeper at the beginning of the 2006 season.
Without a club, An Qi moved to reigning league champions Changchun Yatai where he played understudy to Zong Lei; however, before he could challenge for the goalkeeper position he suffered a knee ligament break.
After the tournament the Chinese manager Bora Milutinović decided to hand An Qi his senior debut in a friendly against Trinidad and Tobago on August 5, 2001, where he came on as a substitute for Jiang Jin in a 3–0 victory.
[6] After the friendly Bora Milutinović gave An Qi his competitive debut against Uzbekistan in a 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification game on September 15, 2001, that China won 2–0.