Dalian Dockyard, founded in 1946, was a factory-owned club, and as such could only participate in regional tournaments and national workers championship matches.

In 1980,the Chinese Football Association (CFA) started to allow factory clubs to play in national leagues.

According to some articles, the match between Beijing Snowflakes and Guangdong Wanbao was a turning point for football fan participation.

The CFA and CSL committee has imposed a range of minimum criteria to ensure professional management and administration, financial probity and a progressive youth development programme at every club.

The CSL and China League's goals are to promote high quality and high level competition; introduce advanced managerial concepts to the market; enforce the delivery of minimum standards of professionalism; encourage the influx of more higher quality foreign coaches and players; and gradually establish the European system for player registrations and transfers.

The official Chinese Jia-A League annual awards are given to players, managers and referees based on their performance during the season.