Can sports be the key to strengthen diplomatic ties between sovereign states? According to Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong, the so-called "basketball diplomacy" may very well be the solution for increased mutual understanding and friendship between Chinese and American citizens.
Like music and art, sports transcend various boundaries, and the Chinese Vice Premier believes it plays a significant role in people-to-people exchanges, particularly China-U.S. ties.
Vice Premier Liu appealed for basketball diplomacy during a visit to Toyota Center, the home field of popular NBA basketball team Houston Rockets. A group of Chinese student athletes from Tsinghua University are enrolled in a basketball training program in the sports center.
"'Ping Pong Diplomacy' opened the gate for establishing China-U.S. diplomatic relations in early years, and today, we need more sports diplomacy such as basketball diplomacy to continually enhance the mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of China and the United States," said Liu.
Renowned athlete and basketball giant Yao Ming, who once played for the Rockets, accompanied Vice Premier Liu in the visit and served as an example of an athlete that is also an envoy of China-U.S. friendship.
The Vice Premier encouraged the student athletes to do their part in improving Chinese-American ties by becoming goodwill ambassadors like the Rockets all-star player.
Aside from becoming future ambassadors working to promote major country relations through basketball diplomacy, Liu also expressed her hopes of a bright future for the student athletes. The overseas training opportunity, according to her, is an invaluable break that allows the students to hone their basketball skills, enhance communication, and strengthen team spirit.
Vice Premier Liu also met with NBA officials to discuss cooperation between the sports association and its Chinese counterparts.