Mao Jianqing started his professional football career in 2004 with
Shanghai Shenhua after graduating from their youth team. He made his debut in a league game against
Shenyang Ginde on June 13, 2006 in a 0-0 draw where he came on as a substitute. In his first season for Shenhua he played in four league games; however, he did not score his first goal and establish himself for them until the 2006 season where he was a significant part of the team that came second in the
Chinese Super League. The following seasons saw his speed, strength, confidence, strong shot and intelligent ball control make him one not only the club's first choice winger but also the national team. In December 2008 Mao Jianqing was arrested for his involvement in a bloody restaurant brawl in the city where a local man was beaten and two women were hurt. The fight started in an apparent fit of jealousy over a woman and came hours after the Shenhua team suffered a disappointing tie that cost them the league title. After being held in custody for one week and making a public apology, Mao was allowed to return to Shenhua. His public assault charge saw him dropped from the team, although he briefly regained his place within the team until the transfer window opened and he was loaned out to
Shenzhen Asia Travel for the remainder of the season. A permanent transfer to
Shaanxi Baorong Chanba occurred on 12 February 2010. He was loaned out to
Hangzhou Greentown and later transferred to
Beijing Guoan in 2012. He was loaned to
Shanghai Shenxin in July 2013. In February 2014, Mao was loaned to
Qingdao Jonoon until the end of the 2014 season. On 26 January 2015, Mao transferred to fellow
Chinese Super League side
Shijiazhuang Ever Bright. On 1 December 2016, Mao rejoined his former club Shanghai Shenhua. The move would see him go on to re-establish himself as an integral part of the team and see him win his first piece of silverware when the club won the
2017 Chinese FA Cup. With persistent injuries on both his legs, Mao would announce his retirement from playing on 4 March 2020 and that he would looking to move into coaching. ==International career==