1997 Chinese Jia-A League
# 1997 Chinese Jia-A League

The 1997 Chinese Jia-A League (known as Marlboro Jia-A League for sponsorship reasons) was the fourth season of professional association football and the 36th top-tier overall league season held in China. Starting on March 16, 1997, and ending on November 29, 1997, it was performed by 12 teams and Dalian Wanda won the championship making it their third championship title.

## Promotion and relegation

Teams promoted from 1996 Chinese Jia-B League

* Qianwei Huandao
* Qingdao Hainiu

Teams relegated from 1996 Chinese Jia-A League

* Shenzhen Feiyada
* Guangzhou Songri

## League standings

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | Dalian Wanda | 22 | 15 | 6 | 1 | 47 | 16 | +31 | 51 | 1998–99 Asian Club Championship qualification |
| 2 | Shanghai Shenhua | 22 | 11 | 7 | 4 | 36 | 22 | +14 | 40 | |
| 3 | Beijing Guoan | 22 | 8 | 10 | 4 | 34 | 20 | +14 | 34 | |
| 4 | Yanbian Aodong | 22 | 8 | 5 | 9 | 23 | 23 | 0 | 29 | |
| 5 | Qianwei Huandao | 22 | 8 | 5 | 9 | 28 | 28 | 0 | 29 | |
| 6 | Jinan Taishan Jiangjun | 22 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 19 | 22 | −3 | 28 | |
| 7 | Sichuan Guancheng | 22 | 6 | 9 | 7 | 30 | 27 | +3 | 27 | |
| 8 | Guangzhou Apollo | 22 | 5 | 10 | 7 | 14 | 20 | −6 | 25 | |
| 9 | Qingdao Hainiu | 22 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 16 | 27 | −11 | 25 | |
| 10 | August 1st | 22 | 5 | 10 | 7 | 22 | 34 | −12 | 25 | |
| 11 | Tianjin Lifei | 22 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 20 | 28 | −8 | 23 | Relegated to Jia B League |
| 12 | Guangdong Hongyuan | 22 | 4 | 4 | 14 | 16 | 38 | −22 | 16 | Relegated to Jia B League |
