LeBron James Calls Basketball a Diplomatic “Bridge” in Rare Chinese Op-Ed
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HONG KONG — LeBron James used an op-ed in China’s People’s Daily on Monday to argue that basketball can ease friction between Washington and Beijing, calling the game “a bridge that connects us.”
The 40-year-old Los Angeles Lakers forward penned the piece while traveling in China ahead of two NBA preseason matchups between the Phoenix Suns and the Brooklyn Nets scheduled for Oct. 10 and 12 in Macao.
James’ essay appeared as the United States and China search for ways to sidestep a potential trade standoff. President Donald Trump has warned of steep new tariffs, though he postponed the measures for 90 days to allow negotiators to pursue a deal that could set up a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping later this year or early next.
The South China Morning Post noted how rarely the Communist Party newspaper features bylines from foreign athletes, saying most international sports figures usually communicate with Chinese fans through social media instead.
During his visit, James told state news agency Xinhua he was “super humbling” by the welcome he received in Chengdu and wanted to “pour it back to the community and to this country.” The trip precedes his 23rd NBA season.
The league continues rebuilding its presence in Greater China after a 2019 controversy, when then-Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey tweeted support for Hong Kong protesters. China pulled NBA broadcasts for a year, resuming regular coverage in 2022.
Recent goodwill gestures have included offseason appearances by Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry and San Antonio Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox, both of whom drew large crowds. Curry returned for another visit last month.
Source: ESPN
