Launches for new insurance and finance products tend not to be sellout affairs. But China Life's event in Tai'an, Shandong province on Oct 8 was the hottest ticket in town, thanks to a guest appearance by the former NBA star Yao Ming.

Yao Ming, China's former NBA star, shares his views on success and wealth management at China Life's new product release meeting in Tai'an, East China's Shandong province on Oct 8. [Photo/tarb.cc]

It is now five years since Yao retired from basketball, but his star power remains undimmed in China, and a big crowd turned out to see him introduce China Life's new portfolio of wealth, life, education and pension insurance as part of his role as the company's brand image spokesman.

The audience in Tai’an were also treated to a Q&A session with Yao, during which the 229-centimeter-tall former center shared his views on life, work and, of course, money management.

"Find a job you love and concentrate on it, then success will follow naturally," said Yao. From his perspective, people have different capabilities, and those who devote themselves to their job and make efforts to improve themselves will find success in the end.

Yao also reviewed his own career, saying that the injuries, frustrations and failures never hindered his passion for basketball, and he got success before his retirement.

When asked about his secret to wealth management, Yao said it is to let his wife have the last word on this issue.

The event was a great success for China Life, which chose Tai'an as the venue for its launch due to the city's rich cultural heritage.