ENTER Le Dragon! Saints Red Army could come face-to-face with the original Red Army in China, the Daily Echo can reveal.

The club hope to cash in on its very own Chinese takeaway and hope millions of Far Eastern football fans will soon be donning the Saints famous red and white shirts.

The premiership club are looking to develop commercial and player links in China.

Southampton bosses are hoping to cash in on the club's popularity in Southampton's Chinese sister city Qingdao where some of the players are as famous as in their home city.

They are looking to start business and sports ventures with Qingdao FC, including selling merchandise to Chinese fans who are fervent Saints supporters.

It is the latest twist to Southampton's successful links with the port of Qingdao which has seen bosses from both cities travel halfway across the world to exchange ideas. Southampton City Council leader Councillor June Bridle said: "They are really keen fans of Southampton Football Club.

"When we visited Qingdao, our female translator knew the names of everyone on the team - and all the board members too."

Managing director of Southampton Football Club Andrew Cowen said it was early days but confirmed talks had been held between Saints and the Chinese city.

"We are looking at what possibilities exist. We are very keen on fostering cultural links with Qingdao and as a result of the recent Southampton City Council delegation to the city, we are looking at a number of ways to create a closer relationship," he said.

Mr Cowen said the club was also looking at ways of working with the Qingdao football team.

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"There is an intense interest in premier league football in China and because of our links with Qingdao there is an affinity.

"We may look at cultural exchanges and we might look at player exchanges - it is very early days, though," he said.

Hampshire-based DIY chain B and Q are also looking to cash in on the Chinese links.

B&Q's international director Steve Gilman said: "B&Q have had discussions with local government organisations and we are currently looking for a site in the city of Qingdao (Corr).

"We hope this will be decided by next year or as soon after that as possible."

The DIY company, based at Chandler's Ford, plans to have 58 stores opening in China by 2005.

Last month the Daily Echo revealed that health chiefs were looking to hire nurses from China to ease the city hospital's recruitment crisis.

Links with Qingdao are set to net local businesses up to £1.4 million over the next two years, say experts.

A review of the accord between the two cities was ordered when opposition politicians questioned the benefits of expensive trips to China by the city council.

But independent research carried out has shown trade delegations to the twin port have paid off.

So far benefits have included:

* New orders worth £250,000

* Average annual orders over the next two years of £350,000

* Total value of orders over the next two years of £1.4 million

* An enhanced image of Southampton regionally and internationally

As well as hard business outcomes, greater cultural ties have been created and the Southampton Youth Orchestra has made several visits.

Last week city councillors decided to continue with the accord between the two cities - and budget to spend £10,000 a year on retaining the links.