Amidst ongoing tensions, NBA star LeBron James turns to basketball diplomacy to build bridges between the U.S. and China.
During his recent trip to China, the globally renowned athlete penned a rare op-ed for Chinese state media. In this piece, James highlighted basketball’s potential as a cultural connector, a message aimed at reviving relations following a 2019 controversy involving NBA official Daryl Morey. The op-ed appeared in the People’s Daily newspaper and was notably recognized by the South China Morning Post for spotlighting a foreign sports star in the media typically reserved for domestic narratives.
James’s visit aligns with the NBA’s strategic efforts to rekindle its image in China, including pre-season games in Macao featuring the Phoenix Suns and Brooklyn Nets. His presence in China comes amidst renewed shows of U.S.-China solidarity in sports, reflecting the painstaking process of mending fractured diplomatic landscapes.
(With inputs from agencies.)