Yao Ming (11) of the Houston Rockets talks to referee Sean Corbin during their NBA game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Cleveland, Ohio, March 5, 2007. Yao finished with 16 points, 11 rebounds, two blocks and five turnovers in the Rockets' 91-85 loss. [Reuters]
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Chinese basketball star Yao Ming topped Forbes magazine's annual Chinese mainland celebrity rankings for the fourth consecutive year, with his US$76 million NBA contract.
Olympic champion Liu Xiang, who is also a Shanghai native as Yao, followed Yao closely to take second in the ranking thanks to his 12.88-second world record in 110-meter hurdles, which made him into one of the most popular image representatives among ad companies in China.
China's Forbes annual ranking is based on the income and media exposure of celebrities within the mainland, which began from 2004.
Director Zhang Yimou returned to the top 10 this year and ranked third, after his big-budget film "Curse of the Golden Flower" screened.
Actress Zhang Ziyi still occupies the fourth position in the ranking although last year was fruitless for her film career because she was studying in the United States.
Rounding out the top 10 are actress Gong Li at No. 5, Zhou Xun at No. 6, Fan Bingbing at No. 7, singer Li Yuchun at No.8, director and actress Xu Jinglei at No. 9 and actress Carina Lau at No. 10.
