LeBron James Bridges US-China Tensions Through Basketball Diplomacy in Recent Visit

Hong Kong, Sep 9 (AP) At a time when tensions and tariffs strain relations, LeBron James is stepping in to utilize basketball diplomacy to create common ground between the U.S. and China.

During his first visit to China since 2019, the NBA icon authored a rare op-ed for Chinese state media, stating, “Basketball is not only a sport, but also a bridge that connects us.”

This op-ed was featured in Monday's edition of the People’s Daily newspaper. The Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post took note, reporting: “It is uncommon for the mouthpiece of China's ruling Communist Party to publish articles by foreign sports stars. Usually, international sports figures engage with fans in China through Chinese social media.”

James’ visit precedes two NBA pre-season games scheduled in Macao between the Phoenix Suns and the Brooklyn Nets, part of the league's efforts to re-establish its brand in greater China.

The games, set for Oct. 10 and 12, mark a renewed engagement after the league was essentially banned in China for a period. This ban followed NBA Commissioner Adam Silver's choice not to discipline Daryl Morey in 2019 for his tweet supporting anti-government protesters in Hong Kong.

The geopolitical tension began when Morey, then with the Houston Rockets and now with the Philadelphia 76ers, expressed support for the protesters while the Nets and Los Angeles Lakers were in China. The tweet was quickly deleted but resulted in a prolonged fallout, with no NBA games being broadcasted in China for a year. Regular broadcasts only resumed in 2022.

A series of initiatives have been undertaken to restore normalcy between China and the NBA, including visits by Golden State's Stephen Curry and Sacramento's De'Aaron Fox last year, both attracting significant attention. Curry revisited China last month.

On the brink of his 23rd NBA season, LeBron James was deeply moved by the welcome he received in China last week.

“It's super humbling for me to be here, so far from home, and feel the reception and the love. I just wanted to give back to the community and this country,” Xinhua, the official news agency, quoted the 40-year-old Lakers superstar as expressing at the conclusion of his visit in Chengdu. (AP)

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