Players vie for a header during a friendly football match between the Qomolangma Snow Eagles and the Salta delegation team in Xigaze, Southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, on May 20, 2025. Photos on this page: Courtesy of Xigaze publicity department

A youth football friendly match spanning mountains and seas recently unfolded at the foot of Mount Qomolangma in Xigaze, Southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region.

The match pitted the Qomolangma Snow Eagles against the Salta delegation team, made up of players from the Puna region of Argentina's Salta Province. Young players from both sides poured their hearts into the game, using football to build a bridge of friendship between Chinese and Argentine.

On Tuesday afternoon, the match kicked off with a crisp whistle from the referee. The young players engaged in a fierce contest. Both sides quickly found their rhythm, delivering thrilling passes, shots, and saves that drew waves of cheers from spectators, according to Xigaze publicity department.

Shortly after the start, the Salta team scored the opening goal, but the Snow Eagles responded with seamless teamwork and tenacious effort, showcasing impressive strength.

According to Argentine media outlet El Tribuno, the players from Xizang were in excellent physical condition, and their speed was astonishing.

In the end, the Salta team clinched a narrow 3-2 victory, as reported by El Tribuno.

Puna of Argentina, like Xigaze, is situated at an altitude above 3,000 meters, which fosters a natural sense of kinship between the youth of these two highland regions.  

"We've been training hard for this match. Playing against our Argentine friends, I hope we can perform at our best and learn new skills from them," Qomolangma Snow Eagles player Tashi Phuntsok told the Global Times, sharing his excitement. 

Another player, Tenzin Zangpo, could hardly contain his enthusiasm. "Competing with Argentine footballers feels like a dream! Argentine football is world-level. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," he noted to the Global Times.

Salta team head coach Barboza Alfredo told Xigaze media post-match that this game strengthened the bond between the players. The Argentina visitors were grateful for Xigaze's warm hospitality.

According to El Tribuno, the players endured a lengthy journey, traveling from Salta through Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, and Ethiopia before arriving in Shanghai and then proceeding to Xigaze. Behind this friendly match lies a notable milestone: Shanghai-Xigaze's inbound tourism charter flight.

On Monday morning, the "Shanghai-Xigaze" tourism charter flight carrying 67 foreign tourists, including the Salta football team and Japanese visitors, landed smoothly at Xigaze Heping Airport.

The charter group's itinerary was packed with activities. The Xigaze publicity department shared that the tourists visited landmarks such as Tashilhunpo Monastery, Gyantse Dzong Fortress, and Karuola Glacier in Xigaze. They then proceeded to Lhasa to explore iconic sites like the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor Street.

The "Shanghai-Xigaze" cross-border tourism charter flight project is a key initiative of Shanghai's cultural and tourism aid to Xizang. Since its inception in 2023, the project has evolved into the "Shanghai-Kathmandu-Xigaze" route, operating 16 flights and transporting over 1,600 international tourists.  

"The charter flights have opened a window for international visitors while promoting the internationalization of this border city through the 'aviation + tourism' model, accelerating the global reach of the Qomolangma cultural brand," Sun Xiaofeng, deputy director of the Xigaze culture and tourism bureau, told the news outlet China News Service. 

According to the civil aviation administration of the Xizang Autonomous Region, during the 2025 summer-autumn season, 11 domestic and international airlines are operating routes to Xizang, connecting 58 cities and facilitating inbound tourism, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

Players from Xigaze present Khatas, a ceremonial white scarf symbolizing goodwill and blessings, to visiting Argentine players before the football match in Xigaze on May 20, 2025.

Players of the Argentine Salta delegation team warm up on the field before the football match in Xigaze on May 20, 2025.

An Argentine youth poses for a photo with a young local fan wearing a Messi jersey during a sightseeing tour in Xigaze on May 19, 2025.

Members of the Argentine Salta delegation team take a group photo while visiting Tashilhunpo Monastery in Xigaze on May 19, 2025.

Aerial view shows the football field of Shanghai Experimental Middle School in Xigaze, where the friendly football match is held on May 20, 2025.