The China Teaching Web

“Yao Ming is not a national hero,” a student recently declared in one of my English classes. Some years ago,before I spent much time in China, I might have been stunned to hear a Chinese citizen talk about Yao Ming in such a way. After all, the tall Chinese center for the Houston Rockets has been the most famous representative of Chinese athleticism in the United States since he entered the NBA in 1999. This season he was averaging an 22 points and almost 11 rebounds per game before a broken left foot forced him to make an early departure. But throughout my stay in China, I have always detected a general feeling that Yao’s prowess on the basketball court has not translated into him being a ‘decent person’ off the court. When I bring up the NBA in a class, Ming’s name is rarely mentioned first. Instead, I hear a lot about Kobe, Shaq, and other NBA players who the students think are “cool.” While the Chinese are proud that ‘one of their own’ has had so much success in the ultra-competitive American professional sports world, I have had many acquaintances in China tell me that they simply do not like Yao Ming. “Why?” I always ask. The answer is always the same. They accuse Yao Ming of not having given enough back to his homeland. They say that while he might do a lot of charitable work in the US, he has forgotten about China. Some of my more outspoken friends and students have gone as far as to suggest that Yao Ming is ungrateful and cares not for the counry that raised him up.

These accusations, which are very widespread in China, are patently unfair and reflect an unpleasant aspect of Chinese culture. First, those who suggest that Yao Ming has done nothing for China are either misinformed or simply ignoring reality. Not only has Yao Ming used his name and reputation to raise money for various charities in Beijing, but he has also helped provide funds for helping impoverished children in China. In addition, he participated in a telethon to raise money for the fight against SARS and he has also donated his time for an advertising campaign to spread awareness about HIV/AIDS in China. These are just a few of the events that Yao Ming has been involved in to help his country. But many in China apparently think that he has not done enough.

Even if Yao Ming had never raised 1 solitary Chinese Yuan for the good of his country, it would still be unfair to postulate that Yao Ming owes his country a debt of gratitude. If you examine Yao Ming’s rise to stardom in the basketball world you will find two recurring themes; hard work and dedication. From an early age Yao Ming practiced many hours every day to develop his skills and become the best that he could be. He has also had to work through tough injuries and the CBA’s regulatory obstacles to arrive at his present professional level. Throughout his rise to stardom he has remained very loyal to his country, playing for China in the 2004 Olympics as well as the 2006 FIBA World Championship. In other words, Yao Ming, not China, made Yao Ming the great player that he is today.

However, the Chinese government and its people are very possessive of their own. Many see China as Yao Ming’s mother. They say that he was weaned and fed off her greatness and richness; he belongs to China. It is perhaps this fierce patriotism that causes many Chinese people to expect too much from their great basketball star. In fact, he has already done many great things for China many of which are rarely talked about in this country. But Yao Ming is a basketball player; he is not the savior of the world.

Yao Ming is not a sellout. Everytime he steps on a court in the NBA he is reminding the world that China too produces greatness. He is representing his country and his culture to a nation that often does not understand China. Is that not enough? Those in China who ask for more from him are perhaps envious or resentful. Meanwhile, the rest of the world sees Yao Ming for who he is; a great basketball player and a patriot.