BEIJING, Nov. 23, 2003 (Xinhuanet) -- The China Baseball Association (CBBA) and the Major League Baseball (MLB) of the United States signed an agreement here on Sunday on baseball development in China.

    As part of the agreement, which runs for at least two years, MLB will implement a variety of game development initiatives in China, including those for the national team, coaching, umpire andyouth initiatives geared toward getting school-aged children learning and playing the game.

     And both parties agreed that MLB clubs are entitled to scout and sign Chinese players to professional contracts.

     "This agreement has far-reaching significance on the development of baseball in China," said Hu Jianguo, president of CBBA. "It will greatly help Chinese team to a historical breakthrough at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. And it's a major step following the starting of Chinese baseball league last year, for baseball development in our country," he added.

    "This is a major step forward in the continued global development of Major League Baseball," said U.S. Baseball Commissioner Allan H. Selig. "This agreement with China Baseball Association will not only spur interest in baseball in the world'slargest nation, but will do much to enhance the development opportunities available to talented Chinese baseball players."