What really needs to happen though is a professional organization of amateur leagues both in cities and within provinces. Top amateur tiers can play interprovincial matches. Professional clubs can then approach and sign amateur talent in their province and include them in their youth system. Riight now amateur matches are just not organized properly, and almost all of it is recreational. Which is fine when they're all 30-year olds who just want to have fun. But for those under 20 you really need to have a proper system.

As for local club vs. school teams: Systems based on schooling like in the USA are too susceptible to corruption in China, since parents of poorer students may try to get their kid into good universities on football scholarships. This way real talent will be wasted and only a mix of corrupt shit and lesser shit will float into the CSL and national team. Besides, love for football starts on the street, so if kids need to get in touch with football at a later age (via school) it's already too late.