Skip to main content

LeBron James cited as author of China’s People’s Daily essay as NBA mends ties with Beijing


This article has been updated with new information.

BEIJING — Akron native LeBron James has become the first NBA player to have an article in the China's state-run People's Daily newspaper citing him as the author, an unusual move suggesting the top-flight North American basketball league's years-long row with Beijing could be coming to an end.

Advertisement

James was interviewed in a group setting and the article was then compiled by a journalist from the Chinese outlet but not written by him, according to a story broken by The Athletic and confirmed by a source close to the NBA star.

The NBA enjoyed decades of fast growth in China, where some 300 million play the game, ballooning into a business said to be worth more than $4 billion. The league was one of the most popular U.S. cultural exports to the country until 2019 when Highland High School graduate Daryl Morey, then general manager of the Houston Rockets team, sent a tweet in support of anti-government protesters in Hong Kong.

The fallout was swift and brutal. China's state broadcaster CCTV stopped showing NBA games for 28 months, local sponsors cut ties, and Rockets merchandise vanished from store shelves. NBA commissioner Adam Silver revealed in 2022 that financial losses amounted to "hundreds of millions" of dollars.

LeBron James essay signals repaired NBA-China ties

Six years later, despite renewed U.S.-China trade tensions, the People's Daily publication of James' essay highlights how the NBA's relationship with its most important market outside North America is close to being fully repaired.

Advertisement

In the past three years, CCTV has gradually returned to broadcasting NBA games as before and Chinese companies have signed deals w ith the league.

The NBA is gearing up next month for two pre-season games in Macau, the first time since 2019 that NBA teams play on Chinese soil.

James' essay in the newspaper, known for signalling Beijing's views on a variety of issues, follows his visits to Chinese megacities Shanghai and Chengdu as part of the Forever King Tour, marking the 20th anniversary of his first Nike tour of Asia.

"The enthusiasm and kindness of Chinese friends deeply touch me, and all I can do is give my all in every game to express my gratitude," James, a St. Vincent-St. Mary High School graduate who has visited China 15 times and is about to start a record-breaking 23rd NBA season, is quoted as saying. "I hope I can contribute to the development of Chinese basketball."

Advertisement

China uses sports to promote cultural diplomacy

The People's Daily publishing James' tribute could also signal the Chinese leadership's wish for U.S. cultural icons to help promote people-to-pe ople exchanges at a time when bilateral relations are strained on various fronts.

Chinese ambassadors to the U.S. have in the past attended and spoken at sporting events stateside to promote conciliatory messages on bilateral ties to an American audience.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: LeBron James cited as author of Chinese essay amid NBA-China thaw

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Breaking Down the Differences Between LeBron James and Kevin Durant - Bleacher Report

LeBron James and Kevin Durant are being coined as "the future of the NBA 's next generation." That is certainly true, but they aren't exactly on the same level. LeBron and Durant are two different players, who bring varying skills to different facets of the game. Instead of just comparing them in a "who's the best" fashion, let's take a minute and break down which player excels in each and every facet of the game of basketball. Ahead is a breakdown of the differences that exist between LeBron and Durant.  Scoring Ronald Martinez/Getty Images LeBron 2011-12 Per-Game Stats: 27.1 points, 53.1 FG%, 36.3 3P%, 77.1 FT% Durant 2011-12 Per-Game Stats: 28.0 points, 49.6 FG%, 38.7 3P%, 86.0 FT% Scoring is what Kevin Durant does. It's not only his specialty, it's also what makes him such a dangerous and elite player. With that being said, LeBron isn't exactly a slouch on the offensive side of the...
Post a Comment
Read more

NBA Monday Morning Shootaround: LeBron James, The Hunger Games, and More - Bleacher Report

Welcome to the "Monday Morning Shootaround," Bleacher Report's recap of the weekend that was in the NBA. Along with getting you caught up on the weekend’s playoff action, we’ll give you a sneak preview of what could potentially be the greatest basketball book of all time, show you the best 70-year-old playground superstar ever, and tell you about a young star that just might choose religion over the fame and fortune of the NBA. The Opening Tip * ABC cameras caught LeBron James reading The Hunger Games before the Miami Heat played the Indiana Pacers on Sunday. Shortly thereafter, the Miami Heat small forward proceeded to go into full Katniss Everdeen mode to the tune of 40 points, 18 rebounds and nine assists as the Heat pulled out a hard-fought 101-93 victory. After a slow start, Heat guard Dwyane Wade finished with 30 points, nine rebounds and six assists of his own. But Sunday afternoon was all about James and his gaudy numbers, virtually all of which we...
Post a Comment
Read more

LeBron James' 12 Hall of Fame teammates

LeBron James is one of the best to ever play in the NBA. He has set multiple records and accomplished a handful of milestones, capped off by the NBA All-Time scoring record , four NBA championships, four Finals MVPs, four NBA MVPs, one NBA Cup title, and one NBA Cup MVP. Throughout his career, he's played with five players that are in the Basketball Hall of Fame and seven others that will likely join James in the Hall. Here is a look at LeBron James' 12 Hall of Fame teammates. Check out the gallery. Dwyane Wade Russ Isabella-Imagn Images Hall of Fame status: Inducted in 2023 Dwyane Wade has arguably got to be James' best teammate throughout his career. With Wade in his corner, they both led the Miami Heat to back-to-back NBA championships in four consecutive Finals appearances. Having these two on the same team was a nightmare to stop, especially in transition. They went together like peanut butter and jelly. Chris Bosh Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Hall of ...
Post a Comment
Read more