The relationship between the United States and China has seen several political disputes over the years. However, for the NBA legend Yao Ming , basketball has remained a strong bridge between the two nations. The Hall of Famer and former Houston Rockets star recently shared his thoughts in an interview with CNBC International Live during the 2025 NBA Preseason Games last weekend in Macao, China. Ming noted that sports offer a simple and fair way for people from both countries to come together and show respect for the game.
Yao Ming sees Basketball as a bridge between the USA and China
The NBA made a big return to China this weekend after a six-year gap. The Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns played two NBA preseason games at the Venetian Arena in Macao on October 10 and 12.
Reflecting on the NBA's comeback in China, Yao Ming said, “Well, we uh we love basketball and we love sports because inside of that line the game is very simple, very transparent. But we know there’s other world outside of that line. It’s not that simple. It’s more complicated, and that’s why I think the people love sports because with sports, we [end] our competition… That we also respect each other. I think that’s the value of sports.”
Ming also welcomed the collaboration between the two countries. “Well, I think this was all contributed by the NBA group and also the owners, Joseph Tsai (Nets) and from Phoenix Suns,” he said. “I think this happened [because it was] supported by so many different parties that uh, whether it’s, uh, in States or in China, which shows that you know people have a great desire for this sport.”
Yao Ming remains a key figure in helping to bridge the gap between the two countries through sports. The former All-Star believes basketball can help bring people together beyond politics and borders.
NBA plans stronger ties with China after the success of the Preseason games 2025-26 in MacaoNotably, the NBA stopped its China Games after 2019 due to a political controversy and the COVID-19 pandemic. Before that, the league was a major success in China, earning billions of dollars.
Recently, the league commissioner, Adam Silver, also shared plans to bring the WNBA to China. “There’s so much interest in women’s basketball here, I think we’d love to bring a WNBA game to Macao or to mainland China,” he said.
Currently, there is only one active Chinese player in the League, in the WNBA, Li Yueru of the Dallas Wings. The NBA will hope to rebuild their connection with the fans in China through more events like the NBA China Games 2025.
Also Read: Nba preseason 2025: schedule, dates, live streaming details and more
Yao Ming sees Basketball as a bridge between the USA and China
The NBA made a big return to China this weekend after a six-year gap. The Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns played two NBA preseason games at the Venetian Arena in Macao on October 10 and 12.
Reflecting on the NBA's comeback in China, Yao Ming said, “Well, we uh we love basketball and we love sports because inside of that line the game is very simple, very transparent. But we know there’s other world outside of that line. It’s not that simple. It’s more complicated, and that’s why I think the people love sports because with sports, we [end] our competition… That we also respect each other. I think that’s the value of sports.”
Ming also welcomed the collaboration between the two countries. “Well, I think this was all contributed by the NBA group and also the owners, Joseph Tsai (Nets) and from Phoenix Suns,” he said. “I think this happened [because it was] supported by so many different parties that uh, whether it’s, uh, in States or in China, which shows that you know people have a great desire for this sport.”
Yao Ming remains a key figure in helping to bridge the gap between the two countries through sports. The former All-Star believes basketball can help bring people together beyond politics and borders.
NBA plans stronger ties with China after the success of the Preseason games 2025-26 in MacaoNotably, the NBA stopped its China Games after 2019 due to a political controversy and the COVID-19 pandemic. Before that, the league was a major success in China, earning billions of dollars.
Recently, the league commissioner, Adam Silver, also shared plans to bring the WNBA to China. “There’s so much interest in women’s basketball here, I think we’d love to bring a WNBA game to Macao or to mainland China,” he said.
Currently, there is only one active Chinese player in the League, in the WNBA, Li Yueru of the Dallas Wings. The NBA will hope to rebuild their connection with the fans in China through more events like the NBA China Games 2025.
Also Read: Nba preseason 2025: schedule, dates, live streaming details and more
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