Yao Ming and NBA China announced on Friday a broad and comprehensive partnership to further basketball participation, develop youth basketball, promote cultural exchange and conduct social responsibility programs in China.

Yao will collaborate with the league to launch basketball and social development programs for Chinese youth through NBA Cares and the Yao Foundation for communities in need.

This announcement follows the launch this April of the inaugural Yao Foundation Hope Primary School Basketball Season. Currently taking place in 47 Hope schools across Sichuan, the initiative demonstrates a shared commitment to youth development and giving back to society through basketball. The program provides underprivileged children the opportunity to experience basketball.

Among the many social responsibility programs both entities conduct in China, the Yao Foundation also will stage a bi-annual Yao Ming Charity basketball game, with support from NBA Cares, to raise funds for the Yao Foundation Hope Primary School Basketball Season.

Yao and NBA China have plans to work with sports authorities to develop a high school coaches training program; a training center in Shanghai for both amateur and professional players of a wide range of ages; and an annual camp that will focus on developing elite youth players.

"The passion for basketball in China has never been stronger and tapping into the NBA's expertise and the support from Chinese fans will help me carry out my mission of giving back to communities in Shanghai and throughout China," Yao said.

(China Daily 07/16/2012 page23)