Gervinho (Hebei China Fortune)
Now 29, the former Arsenal and Roma star has already become a popular cult figure in China, scoring a memorable solo goal against Beijing in May with a run that started on the touchline by the halfway line
Stephane M'bia ( Hebei China Fortune)
Previously played in the Premier League for QPR, captained Cameroon at the World Cup and won the Europa League twice with Sevilla. Joined Hebei China Fortune in January from Trabzonspor in Turkey.
Obafemi Martins (Shanghai Shenhua)
Forever remembered by Birmingham City fans for his winning goal against Arsenal in the 2011 League Cup Final, the Nigerian has since movedto more exotic pastures, joining Shanghai from Seattle in MLS
Demba Ba (Shanghai Shenhua)
Formerly of West Ham, Newcastle United and Chelsea, the 31-year-old Senegal striker has played in six different countries and scored goals in every one, including a treble in April against Shijiazhuang.
Gael Kakuta (Hevei China Fortune)
Exciting winger who didn't make the grade at Chelsea but is finding a new lease of life in China. Only 25, he fits the wishes of the authorities who want younger players in their league besides experience.
Graziano Pelle (Shandong Luneng)
Starred for Italy at Euro 2016 and straight into a life-changing move to China where he becomes the joint-fifth best paid player in the world. Southampton have also made a £5million profit on the deal
Ezequiel Lavezzi (Hebei China Fortune)
Also now one of the highest-paid players in the world after signing from Paris St Germain in February. Argentine international is now one of the poster-boys for the Super League on more than £300k-a-week
Hulk (Shanghai Sipg)
His transfer from Zenit was an Asian record £46million and he is now the third-best paid player in the world. Played for Brazil at the 2014 World Cup under Scolari, will now work with Eriksson
Ramires (Jiangsu Suning)
His £25million departure from Chelsea in January was sudden and alerted Premier League fans that China was now a serious player. Forever remembered for his goal against Barcelona in 2012.
Alex Teixeira (Jiangsu Suning)
Was the record signing at £38million before the recent Hulk deal. 26-year-old midfielder from Shakhtar Donetsk was wanted by Liverpool but the booming Chinese market just blew them out the water.
Jackson Martinez (Guangzhou Evergrande)
Rated as one of the world's top strikers at Porto and Atletico Madrid, even though he disappointed in Spain, the Colombian's move to China was a shock. Will be a blow to Super League if he returns to Europe.
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What is life like in Chinese football?
The president's sudden interest in boosting the profile of the Chinese Super League is not currently matched by the country's masses, but that is not say that changes are not sweeping in. As is the case in the majority of "lesser footballing nations" around the world, interest in the big foreign leagues far outweighs that of the local top flight. "Football is on the TV all the time here, not just the Premier League or the Champions League, but all the European leagues," says Shanghai SIPG manager Sven Goran Eriksson.
But while European football is king, any impression that Chinese top flight games are played in soulless, empty stadiums would be incorrect. The league's average attendance last season stood at around 24,159 with targets to double that number over the course of the next decade. The Premier League averages 36,000 each week.
