BEIRUT China won the right to host the 2004 Asian Cup here Friday following a vote by the Asian Football Confederation Executive Committee.
China defeated a late rally from Thailand to win the vote 10-6 after a series of presentations from the three bidding countries.
Iran, the third country bidding for the tournament, withdrew from the running before the secret ballot.
In a surprise move, the AFC decided to bring forward the timing of the vote at Beirut's Sports City Stadium Complex. It had initially been planned for Saturday following Friday's presentations.
But nervous AFC officials concerned at the possibility of horse-trading in the period between the presentations and the ballot brought the vote forward.
"We want the members to judge each bid on the merits of the bid and for no other reason," a senior AFC official who asked not to be identified told AFP.
At the vote for the 2000 tournament during the 1996 Asian Cup, China had been favorite but suffered a humiliating 14-2 defeat after last-minute lobbying on behalf of Lebanon by the powerful West Asian block.
On winning the 2004 vote China's 18-strong delegation who have been in Lebanon campaigning for their bid throughout the Asian Cup burst into roars of delight.
Zhang Jilong, vice president of the China Football Association, described the win as "totally deserved." "It is time China staged the Asian Cup. We have a very good bid and we will put on an excellent tournament, we totally deserved this," Zhang said.
"Many people worked very hard for this," he said.
Peter Velappan, secretary general of the AFC, said China's size made it the logical venue for the showpiece Asian football tournament.
"China had the best bid and they had the most organized presentation," he said after congratulating the winning bidders.
"With a population of 1.2 billion people they are the obvious choice to showcase Asia's most important football tournament to the rest of the world," Velappan added.