The Role of Sports Diplomacy in Strengthening the United States

The Implementation of the United States’ Public Diplomacy: The Role of Sports Diplomacy in Strengthening the United States and the People’s Republic of China Relations through National Basketball Association Envoys (2011-2015) By Alessandro Adikara S. ID No. 016201300006

A thesis presented to the Faculty of Humanities, International Relations Study Program President University In partial fulfillment of the requirements of Bachelor Degree in International Relations Major in Diplomacy Studies

May 2017 THESIS ADVISER

RECOMMENDATION LETTER

This thesis entitled ―The Implementation of the United States’ Public Diplomacy: The Role of Sports Diplomacy in Strengthening the United States and People’s Republic of China Relations through National Basketball Association Envoys (2011-2015)‖ prepared and submitted by Alessandro Adikara S. in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor in the School of International Relations, Communication, and Law has been reviewed and found to have satisfied the requirements for a thesis fit to be examined. I therefore recommend this thesis for Oral Defense.

Cikarang, Indonesia, May 26th, 2017

Recommended and Acknowledge by,

Hendra Manurung S.IP, MA

DECLARATION OF ORIGINALITY

I declare that this thesis, entitled ―The Implementation of the United States’ Public Diplomacy: The Role of Sports Diplomacy in Strengthening the United States and People’s Republic of China Relations through National Basketball Association Envoys (2011-2015)‖ is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, and original piece of work that has not been submitted, either in whole or in part, to another university to obtain a degree.

Cikarang, Indonesia, May 26th 2017

( )

Alessandro Adikara S.

APPROVAL SHEET PANEL OF EXAMINER

The Panel of Examiners declare that the thesis “The Implementation of the United States’ Public Diplomacy: The Role of Sports Diplomacy in Strengthening the United States and People’s Republic of China Relations through National Basketball Association Envoys (2011-2015)” that was submitted by Alessandro Adikara S. majoring in International Relations from School of Humanities was assessed and approved to have passed the Oral Examinations of May 26, 2017

Hendra Manurung, S.IP, M.A.

Chair of Panel Examiner – Thesis Advisor

Natasya Kusumawardani, S.IP, MProfStuds(Hons)

Thesis co-advisor – Examiner

Drs. Teuku Rezasyah, M.A.,Ph.D.

Examiner

iii

ABSTRACT

Alessandro Adikara, Internationals Relations 2013, 016201300006, President University. Thesis Title: The Implementation of the United States’ Public Diplomacy: The Role of Sports Diplomacy in Strengthening the United States and People’s Republic of China Relations through National Basketball Association Envoys (2011-2015)” Sport relations between the United States and China has been started since Ping Pong diplomacy. The relations of the US and China is a form of soft power, in which it is a power in order to influence other state through cultural influence, which is in this case is basketball. The development of the U.S and China keep growing and in this century it continues into basketball diplomacy. The implementation of the United States public diplomacy to promote basketball culture in China through NBA that work under State Department‘s Sport United Office. NBA itself is a form of the United States sport diplomacy. Yao Ming as Chinese NBA superstar become a bridge for the US and China sport relations in basketball through NBA as a form of the US sport diplomacy. After his retirement in 2011 the development of basketball between US and China keep continue, in order to enhance sport relations between the US and China these two States established Consultation People to People Exchange (CPE). For instance, NBA collaborate with the government of China to establish basketball development program to Chinese student from elementary until high school as well as give a training program to all selected coaches that will be sent to the United States. Keywords: Public diplomacy, Sports diplomacy, National Basketball Association (NBA), Yao Ming, Consultation People to People Exchange (CPE)

ABSTRAK

Alessandro Adikara, Internationals Relations 2013, 016201300006, President University. Judul penelitian: The Implementation of the United States’ Public Diplomacy: The Role of Sport Diplomacy in Strengthening the United States and People’s Republic of China Relations through National Basketball Association Envoys (2011-2015)”

Hubungan olahraga antara Amerika Serikat dan China sudah dimulai sejak diplomasi Ping Pong. Hubungan AS dan China adalah bentuk soft power, di mana ia merupakan kekuatan untuk mempengaruhi negara lain melalui pengaruh budaya, yang dalam hal ini adalah bola basket. Perkembangan U.S dan China terus berkembang dan di abad ini terus berlanjut menuju diplomasi bola basket. Implementasi diplomasi publik Amerika Serikat untuk mempromosikan budaya bola basket di China melalui NBA yang bekerja di bawah Departemen Olahraga United State Department. NBA sendiri merupakan bentuk diplomasi olahraga Amerika Serikat.

Yao Ming sebagai superstar NBA China menjadi jembatan untuk hubungan olahraga AS dan China di bola basket melalui NBA sebagai bentuk diplomasi olahraga AS. Setelah pensiun pada 2011 perkembangan bola basket antara AS dan China terus berlanjut, guna meningkatkan hubungan olahraga antara AS dan China kedua negara membentuk Konsultasi Pertukaran Rakyat ke Rakyat (CPE). Misalnya, NBA berkolaborasi dengan pemerintah China untuk membentuk program pengembangan bola basket kepada siswa China dari sekolah dasar sampai sekolah menengah atas dan juga memberikan program pelatihan kepada semua pelatih terpilih yang akan dikirim ke Amerika Serikat.

Kata Kunci: Diplomasi Publik, Diplomasi Olahraga, National Basketball Association (NBA), Yao Ming, Consultation People to People Exchange (CPE)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Allow me to begin with Praise the Lord! With His kindness, Jesus Christ, everything I have been through is finally achieved. After a long endless struggle to face this, I could accomplish my thesis as I have planned before. I could not and it would be impossible for me to finish all of this without guidance and help of many amazing, wonderful, the colors of my life people who contribute their priceless time and assistance from the preparation to the accomplishment of my thesis writing.

First of all, to the One and my only Savior, Jesus Christ and Mother Marry! I send my greatest and biggest gratitude for Him who always be there through my ups and downs, carry me when I feel secure and sorrow and enlighten me with His guidance to keep believing and Mother Mary who always listen to my prayers and sooth my deepest heart.

Secondly, I would like to give my big gratitude to my family, because this thesis writing will be impossible without their support, and pray. First of all to my parents who raised me and made me to this point, they never give up on me and always take care of me what ever happen, their sweat, tears and motivation is the best trigger for me to finish this thesis writing. Next is to my bigger brothers Armando Siallagan and Rahadi Marsito, as well as my bigger sisters Claudia and Amanda Siallagan, there are no equal feedback that I can give to you all beside finish this thesis writing on time and I can invite both of my parents on the graduation day. A hundred times thank you is not even enough to say remembering their support from the first day I came here until the day that I graduated.

Third, I want to give my biggest respect to both of my thesis advisors which are Mr. Hendra Manurung S,IP, MA and Ms Natasya Kusumawardani S,IP, MProfStuds(Hons) for their guidance, knowledge and experience. Thank you and thank you to put me as one of your child for 9 months, I just hope that there were not regret to put me as your child. I am so sorry if I ever disturbed you or I ever did something wrong to you please accept my apology. Not forget to mention I would like to say to Prof. A.A. Banyu Perwita Ph.D, for the enlightenment and knowledge during the early day when I started to do my thesis writing.

Fourth, I want to give my big thanks to my 24 hours guardian angel Maria Anggita for a non-stop support since the very first day that I start to do this thesis writing until the day that I finish. Happiness, sadness, or whatever happened to me, she always stand by side and always got my back, so thank you for the patient and guidance during my thesis writing.

Fifth, this one is for bunch of people that have been coloring my university life. Let me start from the first day I came here, they are the people from 3rd floor in G building dormitory (Edginawan Haddendi, Chandra, Raja Luth Hasan, Ghanding Kanori, Menaz Sadaka, Fardhan, Gilang, Aldo, Yuwinka, Qaisz Kenang, Ramdhani, Andre Wijoyo, Efraim Christoni, Bambang, Reja, Rama Adianto, Ardi, Sulaiman Jamin, Dwiki, Ferdinand Putra and Acong). Thank you so much for amazing first year that we have spent together, we have done a lot of crazy things and there were no regret for me to be a part of 3rd floor family. If I can turn back time, I wish I can turn back to the day when I meet you guys, dormitory life is one of the best time for me in this university. Next is for IR Basketball (Stefan Jurgensen, Bintang Paska, Randa Sandhita, Christian Andalangi, Duan Evan, Bimo Saputra, Eldy Nuryadi, Daniel Louis, Fajar Iqbal Mirza, Morison Maukar, Rendy Arsyaf, Robertus Risyanto, Billy, Nanda, Nursyaid, Naletha Pangemanan, Julyan Wongso, Trixie Tobing, Siti Raudina, Cici Tobing, Yoviannie, Khalida Wardak, and Nasya Ramadini. Thank you for everything especially during the day that we practice together and fight together on the court during SOPU, I just hope that IR basketball will always be better

vii team year by year. Next is for my lovely juniors which are Sayyaf Hadipaksi, Genji Ridho, David Sianipar, Aldo Putranto, Janitra Goutama, Naufal Razan, Abu Rijal El Jihadi, Dimas and so on. Thank you for accompany me during ups and downs and also for the laughter and happiness that we have shared together.

Next is for the most amazing people that have been rocks my life in this university. The first one in for Chiro Fans Club (Dharma Satrya, Mustika Nagari, Maria Anggita, Luki Juniansyah, Elroy Yona, Jonathan Damanik, Fadli Sitompul, Lutfan Hasby, Lindie Rutry, Adristya Cynthia, Aditya Iswarabhawa, Lanny Suryani, Akbar Kharisma, Afdhal Aulia, Ria Putri Santoso and Atika Hardicha. These guys are crazy, I cannot imagine my life in this university without their presense, let us keep contact and keep planning for the next vacation shall we. Thank you for everything that we have shared together, I wish nothing but good luck for our future, hopefully we still can be like this because I am sure that a lot of vacation will still come after us later, so embrace yourself. Next for my craziest little family in this university which is Keluarga Kosmik which are (Dharma Satrya, Elroy Yona P. Sipayung, Jonathan Damanik, Aditya Iswarabhawa and Afdhal Aulia). Thank you guys for always invite me to join your party in Dota 2 games and makes me to delay my thesis day by day. But I enjoy it spending my time to you guys and hopefully we still can hang out together apart from university life, I will see you guys on top.

Cikarang, May 26th 2017

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Alessandro Adikara S.

Table of Contents

THESIS ADVISER ...... i RECOMMENDATION LETTER...... i DECLARATION OF ORIGINALITY ...... ii APPROVAL SHEET PANEL OF EXAMINER...... iii ABSTRACT ...... iv ABSTRAK...... v ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ...... vi Table of Contents ...... ix Table of Figures ...... xi List of Acronym ...... xii CHAPTER I ...... 1 INTRODUCTION ...... 1 I.1. Background of Study ...... 1 I.2. Identification of Problem ...... 5 I.3. Research Question ...... 9 I.4. Research Objectives...... 10 I.5. Significance of the Study ...... 10 I.6. Theoretical Framework ...... 11 I.6.1 Soft Power ...... 11 I.6.2 Public Diplomacy ...... 12 I.6.3 Sports Diplomacy ...... 15 I.6.4. Framework Linkage ...... 19

I.7. Scope and Limitation of Study...... 20 I.8 Thesis Structure ...... 21 CHAPTER II ...... 23 National Basketball Association as an Instrument of the United States Sport Diplomacy ...... 23 II. 1 The United States‘ Sport Diplomacy from Ping-Pong to Hoop Diplomacy ...... 23 II. 2 Ping Pong Diplomacy as the Beginning of the United States-China Sport Diplomacy...... 24 II.2.1 The Result Outcome after Ping Pong Diplomacy ...... 26 II.2.2. The Emerging of Hoop Diplomacy through NBA Envoys ...... 31 II. 3 Basketball as National Sport in China ...... 32 II. 4. NBA Atmosphere in China ...... 34 CHAPTER III ...... 37 The Elements of Public Diplomacy of the United States and China through Sport Diplomacy ...... 37 III. 1. Sport Cooperation as Part of Daily Communication the U.S and China ...... 38 III. 1. 1. Yao Ming as the Bridge between US-China Relations ...... 38 III. 2. NBA Boosts Basketball Athlete in China through Yao Ming ...... 40 III. 2. 1 State Department‘s Sport United Office throughout NBA and Ministry of Education of People‘s Republic of China Collaboration to Establish Basketball Program...... 42 III.2.2. The Chinese Government Plans to Create More Beneficial Athletes ...... 44 III. 3. Friendship Collaboration between NBA and Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) to Enhance Basketball Diplomacy ...... 46 III. 3. 1. The Development of Sport Diplomacy through Sport Activities ...... 47 CHAPTER IV ...... 50 The United States‘ Public Diplomacy to Enhance Its Relations with People‘s Republic of China through NBA Envoys as Sport Diplomacy ...... 50 IV. 1 NBA as the United States‘ Sport Diplomacy to Promote Basketball Culture to China ...... 50 IV.2 Consultation People-to-People Exchange between the United States and China 54 IV.3 The Role of American NBA Players in Influencing Basketball to Chinese People ...... 58 IV.4 Sport Envoys and Athlete Exchange between United States and China 2011 – 2015 ...... 60 CHAPTER V ...... 65

CONCLUSION ...... 65 Bibliography ...... 68

Table of Figures

Figure 1.1 Theoritical Framework Linkage……………………………………………...……….. 19

Figure 2.1 Vice-premier Li Lanqing and former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger played ping-pong to mark the 30th anniversary of "Sino-US ping-pong diplomacy ……………...... …..24

Figure 2.2 President Nixon with Prime Minister Zhou Enlai ……………………………...... ….27

Figure 2.3 President Nixon and Henry Kissinger in 1972 ………………………………...... 29

Figure 3.1 NBA Commissioner Adam Silver with Chinese officials in Beijing ………………….40

Figure 3.2 NBA are celebrating Chinese New Year………………………………………...... 47

Figure 4.1 Steve Francis, Michael Jordan and Yao Ming in NBA All Star Photoshoot……...... 51 Figure 4.2 7th Annual US – China high-level consultation on People-to-People Exchange……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..52 Figure 4.3 Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong (3rd L) meets with officials from the NBA during a visit to NBA…………………………………………………………………………………………………….56

Figure 4.4 Stephon Marbury granted honorary citizenship of Beijing……………………..……59

Figure 4.5 Timeline of the US and China sport relations 2011-2015……..……………..……...61

List of Acronym

CBA = Chinese Basketball Association CEO = Chief Executive Officer CNY = Chinese New Year CPE = Consultation People to People Exchange IOC = International Olympic Committee ITTF = International Table Tennis Federation NBA = National Basketball Association NCAA = National Collegiate Athletic Association PRC = People‘s Republic of China USA = United States of America

xii

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

I.1. Background of Study

Basketball is generally known as American sport since its originated 1891 when it was introduced by James Naismith in Springfield Massachusetts. The uniqueness of basketball itself are the simple equipment, team work, the simple rules, and able to play indoor or outdoor. The National Basketball Association (NBA) is the major professional basketball league globally.1 NBA has 29 popular teams that separate into two divisions which are Eastern and Western.

The name of NBA (National Basketball Association) is getting popular during the existence of Michael Jordan internationally. Most of teams in NBA consist of foreign players, who return home in order to represent their native countries during international competitions such as Yao Ming who play for the Houston Rockets. Yao Ming is the most popular Chinese NBA player that has become Chinese NBA superstar in the United States and China. One of sport journalist explained about the uniqueness of basketball as follow:

“The deep appeal of basketball lies in the fact that the poorest of kids can make it rich, and that there is a mystery in how he does it. Neither baseball nor football creates the special, jazzed-up excitement of this game in which the human body can be made to do unearthly things, to defy gravity gracefully. A trust in mystery is part of the foolishly beautiful side of the American dream, which actually believes that the impossible is possible2.” Basketball has become American culture in which it is part of its education. This sport has a huge movement where children can start their career

1 Sports in America. Retrieved from: https://usa.usembassy.de/sports-basketball.htm on April, 6 201 2 ibid

1 in the age of four or five years old under private basketball school. As a result, as children grow elder, they can improve their basketball ability and develop its tactics3 and afterwards, they will be sent into professional basketball league and compete one with another to get through NBA. Basketball is also well-known in China. The development of basketball is very rapid among Chinese students. Chinese economic growth is quite prompt which attract NBA to invest, while at the same time promote basketball development even more in China.

NBA is work under State Department‘s Sport United Office of the United States in order to promote basketball around the globe, particularly in China. The existence of Yao Ming as the most recognizable Chinese look in NBA also drives the relations between the U.S and China. The relations between the U.S and China are very dynamic due to the emergence of new power of China in Asia- Pacific region.4

In 2002, People‘s Republic of China (PRC) has been sucessfully secure its economic growth, rising the number of employment as well as social stability under Hu Jintau‘s leadership. The economic growth was quiet strong under Communist Party‘s rule that was very secured. China won plaudits for an effective response to the financial crisis keeping growth and employment on track and contributing to the world recovery5. Furthermore, Chinese economic rapid growth brought China to the global ranks that overtook the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Japan to claim second place, behind only the United States.6

The rising of China that a country consist of 1,3 billion people is natural. China‘s development, as well as that of the rest of Asia countries in Asia-Pacific region, will necessarily alter the preeminent geopolitical position that the United

3 Zhang Wei. Comparative Analysis of Basketball Culture between the US and China. 2011. Haerbin University of Science and Technology. S on January, 12 2017 4 Hillary Clinton. America’s Pacific Century. October 11, 2011. Retrieved from: http://foreignpolicy.com/2011/10/11/americas-pacific-century/ on January, 24 2017 5 U.S. Policy Toward People’s Republic of China. Retrieved from: https://www.state.gov/p/eap/rls/rm/2011/04/160652.htm on January, 24 2017 6 Ibid

States has enjoyed since the end of the Cold War, and that Western nations have enjoyed since the 19th century.7

However, despite of conflict they might have, two major powers need to establish world peace and stability through international cooperation. In this thesis writing, the writer will emphasized the use of the U.S sport diplomacy to be more specific through basketball with NBA envoys as its public diplomacy to enhance its relations with China.

The announcement by International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2001 that Beijing would be the host of Olympic Games marked China‘s emergence as a major global player8. The Olympic Games 2008 would become the place for China to show its maturation on the great economic, and to a lesser extent, political power. PRC Premier Wen Jiabao give a statement toward Olympic games in Beijing as follow: “It presents an opportunity for China to show the world how democratic, friendly, open, civilized and harmonious”.9

In this case, sport diplomacy become a tool or instrument for these two countries in order to promote peaceful, stability, and prosperous bilateral relationship. The beginning of the U.S and China relations in sport diplomacy was started four decades ago that introducing ‗Ping Pong Diplomacy.10

The new beginning of US-China relations on sport diplomacy was happened on 10 April 1971, the simple game of table tennis marked the beginning of a thaw in the diplomatic freeze that had existed between the US and China due to the cold war for over 20 years. The occasion became known as ping pong

7 The Rise of China and the Interests of the U.S” by The Ripon Forum, Vol.41, No. 2, 2007. Retrieved from: www.cfr.org/china/rise-china-interests-us/p13455 on November 2, 2016 8 The 2008 Olympics’ Impact on China by USBC on July 1, 2008. Retrieved from: http://www.chinabusinessreview.com/the-2008-olympics-impact-on-china/ on November 2, 2016 9 Ibid 10 Ping Pong Diplomacy is introduced for the U.S-China table tennis exchange players. Retrieved from http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/ping-pong-diplomacy-60307544/?no-ist on March, 10 2017

3 diplomacy.11 Ping Pong Diplomacy moves as a first step and a stepping stone for the United States and China diplomatic relations. The advancement of the U.S- China relations brought the sport diplomacy from Ping Pong Diplomacy to Basketball. By doing so, the U.S and China are ready to continue on People-to- People Exchange in order to strengthening the relations of these two countries despite of many tension they have.

Nowadays, basketball is cultivating massive people to people exchange between the two countries.12 These intensive and large-scale U.S-China basketball interactions date back to 2002 when 22-years old Chiense athlete Yao Ming was drafted by the NBA13. Many Chinese sport journalists come to the United States to cover Yao Ming performance during his game with Houston Rockets games every year. The continuity of Chinese journalists that flew to the United States to cover Yao Ming become more dynamic. They are not only reporting Yao Ming during the games but also about American culture.

“Around 300 billion Chinese people are play basketball in China, and that is more or less as much as population people in US. There are estimated 89% of Chinese people ages 15 to 54 are more aware of the NBA rather than other world sport event such as the World Table Tennis Championships, the European Champions League, and even the FIFA World Cup. China has become the NBA’s largest international market, and the NBA’s revenue in China is growing at a rate of 30% to 40% per year. More importantly, the Chinese government views sports as a projection of soft power.”14 In order to keeping a good bridge between Chinese and American, Yao Ming as the face of Chinese among Americans use his influence to assist National Basketball Association (NBA) stars, Steve Nash to play basketball in Chinese charity games, raising funds for children with HIV/AIDS, as well as poor children

11 How Ping Pong Diplomacy Thawed Cold War. Retrieved from: http://www.history.com/news/ping-pong-diplomacy on March, 18 2017 12 NBA Boost US China Relations. Retrieved from: http://uscpf.org/v3/2015/02/20/nba-boosts- us-china-sports-diplomacy/ on November, 5 2016 13 Ibid 14 Under Secretary of State Judith A. McHale. Retrieved from: http://shenyang.usembassy- china.org.cn//cpe.html on November, 25 2017

4 in rural areas.15 Shaquille O‘Neal also invited by Yao to celebrate Lunar New Year in China. Besides O‘Neal, Stephon Marbury, another American basketball icon that known as Ma Zhengwei in China, by means Political Commissar Ma also play a major role in bringing American-China friendly relations. Beijing Ducks basketball team won a victory three times in a row in two Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) that led by this former NBA-All Star. The popularity of Yao and Marbury bring China as the NBA‘s largest overseas market. NBA China has more than 93 million followers on its social media platform data showed, with more than 300 million people playing basketball in China.16

The advance of technology is the key role where NBA can be as popular as today. This is exemplified by the NBA china experience.17 Chinese are now familiar with the NBA as in players and the game itself, they are watching the game and enjoying it. More than any other single factor in the global impact of NBA is the presence of Yao Ming with no American playing experience make him become the main attention on that day. It requires extensive negotiation and agreement about his track record and playing experience which make a lot of people doubt on him on that day. However, this is become a great example where the cooperation between 2 countries run well and also it shows us about the impact of NBA in global level, particularly in China.18

I.2. Identification of Problem

There was no diplomatic recognition between the United States and China for almost 22 years of silence and hostility. The United States called China as the ―Red China‖ that has a meaning communist led government, meanwhile China

15 NBA Boost US-China Sports Diplomacy. Retrieved from: http://uscpf.org/v3/2015/02/20/nba- boosts-us-china-sports-diplomacy/ on November, 25 2016 16 Ibid 17 The Global Impact on NBA. Retrieved from: www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/41067/recreation_and_sports/the_global_impact_of_th e_nba.html on December, 15 2016 18 Ibid

5 called the United States as ―Decadent Imperialist‖19. However, the silent treatment and hostility between the United States and China has ended after President Nixon and Secretary Kissinger visited China to have further discussion about sport diplomatic relations through ping pong.

Ping Pong diplomacy has brought a new breakthrough between these two States.20 It emphasizes the importance of athlete exchange could bring such a beneficial relations. Ping Pong diplomacy was the stepping stone for the U.S and China relations to establish bilateral relations in the aspect of sport particularly, in which sport aims to promote peaceful, international friendship, and bilateral relationship among the U.S and China despite of political tension they might have.

The two giant States should be able to establish good relations and cooperation in order to implement international friendship through sport diplomacy. Sport is a platform in order to promote world peace and at the same time individually as they able to develop the athletes‘ skills.

The United States and China as two major powers need to create world peace and stability by creating international cooperation for world stability. The establishment of ping pong diplomacy in 1971 between the United States and China in President Nixon administration creates the first history ever of the U.S and China cooperation in sport diplomacy. Afterwards, Chinese and American table tennis players had come into contact more than one occasion and exchange athletes.21 Ping Pong Diplomacy led the re-establishment of the U.S and China relations which had been cut for more than two decades.

Basketball has deeply rooted to Chinese people since 1896 when Dr. James Naismith introduced the game with government official named Piengiane.

19 Stephen Orlins, The Evolving Role of Sports Diplomacy. 2012. Retrieved from: http://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/the-evolving-role-of-sports-diplomacy on March 19 2017 20 Ping pong diplomacy. Retrieved from: http://www.ebeijing.gov.cn/feature_2/SportsinBeijing/t1430672.htm on May, 17 2017 21 Ping Pong Diplomacy. Retrieved from: http://www.china.org.cn/english/features/olympics/100660.htm on May, 17 2017

The participation of people towards arising when the first prime minister of China named Chou En Lai supported as well as endorsed the game for the contribution of fitness and to promote of teamwork. Since that moment, Basketball has survived the era of cultural revolution and even more supported in the era of Mao Zedong. “Sports could be a diplomatic bridge to peace and a vehicle for healing political and cultural rifts among communities or States. It can also be used as an educational and development tool”.22

Russel Singer as the representative of the United States in the United Nations General Assembly emphasized the importance of sport could bring togetherness of all groups without seeing race, nationality, gender, and so forth.23 He believes that sports could bring all segments to society and at the same time empowering people from diverse background while fostering tolerance and respect for all peoples.24 Sport could bring a development through diplomacy for instance sport exchange and envoys.

China and the U.S established sport diplomacy or so-called as Ping Pong Diplomacy as one of main tool that later on will become a stepping stone to promote stability, peace, and prosperity. Other than ping pong diplomacy that has been deeply rooted in the U.S and China sport diplomacy, basketball is more popular in this century. Therefore, the U.S and China sport diplomacy has transformed into basketball through NBA.25 To some extent, the United States would like to promote its basketball culture through NBA in China because this country has become the biggest market as it is stated by Heidi Ueberroth the president of NBA International as follow: “China is number one market outside

22 Sports as tool for peace, development during debate reviewing resolution’s implementation. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/press/en/2014/ga11572.doc.htm on March, 19 2017 23 Ibid 24 Ibid 25 Rune-Wen Huang and Connor Gants, Diplomacy in the Sports Arena(体育竞技场上的外交. 2010. Retrieved from: http://uschina.usc.edu/article@usct?diplomacy_in_the_sports_arena_10957.aspx on March 19 2017

7 of the United States. The growth has been very significant and very much on track, and we are very much still just scratching the surface”26

Ping Pong Diplomacy opened the U.S and China communication relations that begin when President Richard Nixon visit to Beijing. In 2009, China and the U.S under President Hu Jintao and Barack Obama agreed on during U.S-China Joint Statement as follow:

“Promote understanding, expand common ground, reduce differences, and develop solutions to common problems. China and the United States have increasingly broad base of cooperation and share increasingly important common responsibilities on many major issues concerning global stability and prosperity; the two countries should further strengthen coordination and cooperation, work together to tackle challenges, and promoted world peace, security and prosperity and the two sides are determined to work together to achieve more sustainable and balanced global economic growth.”27

The successful of Ping Pong Diplomacy has to be continued in order to respect good relations between the U.S and China. Sport diplomacy between these two States does not stop right there.

Its sport diplomacy continues, however this time with basketball. In this case, National Basketball Association (NBA) becomes an instrument of current sport diplomacy. In this case, China become the biggest market of NBA. NBA China CEO David Shoemaker said that Yao was a transformational player, who did so much for the game of basketball in China and outside of China. “He was really a catalyst back when he was drafted in 2002 to a whole new generation of fans, who grew a great interest in watching NBA basketball.28” The interesting thing though is that over the course of that time, this generation of fans has developed a real sophistication for our game, so the popularity of NBA

26 The statement of Heidi Ueberroth as the president of NBA International. Retrieved from: http://www.nba.com/article/2016/10/07/nba-and-china-growing-relationship on March, 19 2017 27 The Perception of the U.S.-China Economic And Security Review Commission toward China and its Influence on Sino-U.S. Relations. Retrieved from: http://web.uri.edu/iaics/files/12ShengyongZhang.pdf on January, 21 2017 28 Big Things are Happening in China. Retrieved from: http://www.nba.com/global/news/big_things_china_2012_02_03.html on November, 25 2016

8 basketball, thanks in large part to Yao, is far greater than one player or one team.29

NBA worked under State Department‘s Sport United Office of the United States to promote basketball around the globe, particularly in China. Since the retirement of Yao Ming as the representative NBA athlete from China in 2011, the United States and China government need to think the further extension of its sport diplomacy of basketball.

Therefore, the writer has decided to pick The Implementation of the United States’ Public Diplomacy: The Role of Sport Diplomacy in Enhancing the United States Relations with People’s Republic of China through National Basketball Association Envoys (2011-2015) to be explained because the case is very interesting to be discussed since these two giant countries are noticeable with political tension, while the writer would like to focus on how these two countries could manage international cooperation within sport diplomacy, to be more specific through NBA in order to promote stability, peace, and prosperity. The topic is also very challenging to be analyzed since NBA is very influential in basketball as in globally world into part of the world and thus become one of instrument to strengthening the U.S-China relations through exchanging basketball players and so forth.

I.3. Research Question

As have been elaborated above, the topic and question for this research are defined as follows. Topic: This research is an examination of United States and China strengthening their relations through Sport Diplomacy (NBA)

29 Ibid

Question: ―How did sport diplomacy enhance the United States and China relations through National Basketball Association envoys (2011-2015)?‖

I.4. Research Objectives

Research objectives in this research classified into explanatory-descriptive research. According to Kumar on his book Research Methodology, described explanatory aims to clarify why and how there is a relationship between two or more aspects of a situation or phenomenon. While descriptive research used to describe systematically a situation. By doing so, the objectives of this explanatory-descriptive research are:

a. To explain the role of sport diplomacy between the U.S. - China relations, b. To explain the NBA as an instrument of the U.S. sport diplomacy to strengthening the U.S. - China relations

I.5. Significance of the Study

The emergence of China as a potential global power due to its rapid economic growth and followed by its military development has led the United States into its major concern. The U.S perceive China as a a threat to overthrown its position as hegemony power that the country has enjoyed since the end of Cold War. Despite of many tensions that these giant countries have, the writer would like to discuss more on how the U.S and China maintain its relations one with another to manage stability, peace, and prosperity through sport diplomacy NBA. This case of course related to the International Relations study which shows the bilateral relations in order on how two countries try to maintain the relations one with another. The writer highly hopes this thesis can give new information, insights, and data regarding the

topic to the others International Relations students or people who need the data.

I.6. Theoretical Framework I.6.1 Soft Power

Soft power is the ability of any country to persuade others to follow what we want in order to achieve any particular goals without using coercion. Soft power has been defined in a number of ways for instance, soft power is viewed as the ―non-material capabilities such as reputation, culture, and value appeal that can aid the attainment of a state‘s objectives.30 According to Joseph Nye soft power is the ability to getting others to want the outcomes that you want.31

States have several of ways to use implement the soft power techniques in their international relations, as well as in their domestic politics and revolves around their public diplomacy with other countries and other international actors. However it is not enough to provide information, or pitch an idea that the state or non-state actor wants to convey, but effective diplomacy, and the successful building of soft power ―involves building long-term relationships that create an enabling environment for government policies‖32. This can be done in a number of capacities.

Soft power is not merely the same as influence. After all, soft power is more than just persuasion or the ability to move people by argument, though that is an important part of it. Soft power is also ability to attract and attraction often leads to acquiescence. Simply put, in behavioral terms, soft power is attractive power. Soft power resources are the assets that produce such attraction.33 Attractive capability is based on the resource.

30 Soft Power. retrieved from: http://internationalrelations.org/soft-power/ on November, 14 2016 31 Ibid 32 Joseph S. NYE. Soft Power Means To Success in World Politic. p.12 33 Ibid p.20

Soft power can be developed with this approach through the establishment of places where citizens can start a dialogue, or programs that promote cultural exchanges between the different countries. However, there is one thing that have to bear in mind that soft power can only work if the policies promoted or represented by the states are favorable to others.34

Culture become one of the biggest strength of a State‘s soft power because it is a values and practices that give meaning to society. Culture can be manifested in many forms. In this thesis writing, the popular culture of basketball which tends to lead to the entertainments.35 If the culture of a State containing universal values and the State‘s policy promote the values and attractiveness contain therein, it will add the possibilities to achieve what they want. The intention of this is to make the State or other parties such as but not limited to organizations, association, and so forth who are affected will do or follow the culture and values that are being promoted. According to Joseff Joffe, the United States culture is strong in order to influence throughout the global as the Roman culture in the past.36

I.6.2 Public Diplomacy

Public diplomacy is a form of political international advocacy, in which it is opened and supported by the civilian to negotiation through diplomacy. According to Edward R. Murrow, public diplomacy can be defined as to influence of public attitudes as follow: “Public diplomacy as interactions aimed not only at foreign governments but primarily with non-governmental, individual,

34 Think again: Soft power. retrieved from: http://foreignpolicy.com/2006/02/23/think-again- soft-power/ on May, 17 2017 35 Power: softly does it. Retrieved from: http://www.economist.com/news/britain/21657655- oxbridge-one-direction-and-premier-league-bolster-britains-power-persuade-softly-does-it on May, 17 2017 36 Josef Joffe, Guliver Unbound: Can American rule the world?, 2003. Retrieved from: http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/08/05/1060064182993.html on January 24 2017

12 organizations, association, and often presented a variety of private views in addition to government views”37

From the statement above, the representative of a State is no longer only ambassador, but individuals or event organization and association can become the representative of a State. In this case of thesis writing, NBA becomes the representative of the United States in order to promote the culture of American basketball in China.

Public diplomacy aims for the civilian and limited to advocacy in order to be the host governments. As a result, the purpose of public diplomacy itself is to seek the mutual benefit as well as strengthening the relations between countries and avoid any kind of confrontation that could direct into such kind of conflict. At the same time, public diplomacy can ease the tension between the countries and enhance the mutual relations. It is not a form of political warfare, although it may be used in combination with political warfare.38

Public diplomacy itself aims to build good communication and cooperation among the States. Moreover, public diplomacy will be used by the ‗sending‘ country to promote their national interest and spread their influence to the ‗receiving‘ country.39 At the same time, public diplomacy can be putted on State‘s foreign policy goals. This traditional view is the form of state-to-state diplomacy, in which the official relations will be conducted by the representative of the State diplomats or leader.

The form of public diplomacy can be implemented as the exchange program as well as scholarship abroad, language training, exchange athletes, cultural events, and so on that will make mutual benefits among the States. As such, the term of public diplomacy in this case focused on to build good

37 Joseph Nye, Soft Power: he Means to Success in World Politics, Retrieved from: http://www.belfercenter.org/sites/default/files/legacy/files/joe_nye_wielding_soft_power.pdf page 8. 38 Paul A. Smith Jr. Political War. p.20 39 US department of State. Retrieved from: https://www.state.gov/r/ on May, 17 2017

13 reputation of a State by sending State‘s representative to other country and at the same time to shape the policy environment of the receiving country.40

According to Joseph Nye, there are three dimensions of public diplomacy all of those three are important, and they require different relative proportions of direct government information and long-term cultural relationships.41 The first one, governments often communicate daily about decisions that they have made, or plan to make, this can be built through focusing on international media as well. In this regard, daily communication aims to establish good cooperation one with another by creating agreement between two or more States in particular occasion. Along with daily communications is also strategic communication, which can be the use of symbols, as well as planned campaigns towards particular issues in international relations. The use of campaign aims to promote the national interests of home country to the host country. Last but not least, in diplomacy friendship is very important in diplomacy is the importance of tightening relationship among states, and among citizens of the respective states42. It will enhance the international cooperation and create world peace and stability despite all tensions that the States have.43

In other words, aside of building a good relationship among the States, public diplomacy is the place to accommodate the needs of other countries. For instance in this case, cultures and people, communicate the new point of view, lessen the tension by correcting the missperception.

There are a hierarchy of impacts that public diplomacy can achieve:44

 Enhance the influence of a State to raise people awareness to other State (updating about something related to the other State influece.

40 ibid 41 New Public Diplomacy. Retrieved from: https://foia.state.gov/searchapp/DOCUMENTS/HRCEmail_August_Web/IPS- 0065/DOC_0C05767159/C05767159.pdf on May, 20 2017 42 Ibid 43 Public diplomacy in 21st century. Retrieved from: https://www.theglobalist.com/public- diplomacy-in-the-21st-century/ on May, 17 2017 44 Ibid

 Show appreciation to other country in order to create positive opinion or perception as well as influence other State to view global issues in the same perspective.

 The importance of engagement with other States. For instance exhange athletes, students, scholarship abroad, support tourism of a State to others.

I.6.3 Sports Diplomacy

Diplomacy has been evolved ever since the beginning of the 20th century, it has evolved to accommodate the fact that public opinion is ever more influential in international relations. Diplomatic achievement should be taking account into the importance to diplomatic officials (e.g: diplomats or leaders) under public opinion, including the media.

Sports diplomacy is a part that falls within public diplomacy. According to Barry Sanders in his book Sport as Public Diplomacy, emphasized that sport is powerful medium and large for the dissemination of information, reputation, and international relation which are at the core of public diplomacy. It has own meaning or message about the nature of sport that brings competition and at the same time, sport become a tool for spreading the message.

Murray sees that the sport itself involves diplomacy and diplomatic representative activities performed by sports people such as but not limited to the players, board sports organization or association, or any kind of sport event organizer as the representative of the country. This practice is facilitated by traditional diplomacy and the use of people in sport and sporting events to shape and inform an image that can be accepted by society and international, to shape perceptions conducive to foreign destinations of relevant government. Stuart Murray defines sport diplomacy as follow:

“It involves representative and diplomatic activities undertaken by sports people on behalf of and in conjunction with their governments. The practice is facilitated by traditional diplomacy and uses sports people and sporting events to engage, inform, and create a favorable image among

foreign publics and organizations, to shape their perceptions in a way that is (more) conductive to the sending government’s foreign policy goals”45

Sport is political and diplomatic arena where politics parodies sport and vice versa.46 By means, sport can established as well as improved diplomatic relations between two States that are poor or in the middle of confrontation. In other words, sport creates and enhance diplomatic momentum relations. According to Lincoln Allison, Sport can be defined as political science as “An institutionalized competitive activity that involves vigorous physical exertion or the use of relatively complex physical skills by individuals whose participation is motivated by a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic factors”47

Sports diplomacy has shifted along with modern environment, in which sport diplomacy is one of the many vehicles and platforms that are evidence of a transformation in diplomacy.48 To be more emphasized, the use of traditional approach that is sport by government has been transformed in to the modern one. In other words, the government should aware towards the existence of market power of association or organization in other States in this case is NBA can beneficial to the State itself, which is the United States by promoting its cultural towards basketball sport. In order to success in sport industry, it requires dedication, persistence, and determination to enhance young people skills. Sport has a strong connection for people to communicate one with another, even with different culture as well as languages. It will teach how to play in team or teamwork, leadership, respect one with another under one rule.

45 Stuart Murray, Ping Pong Diplomacy as the Gate of Sino-American Relations. Retrieved from: http://www.culturaldiplomacy.org/culturaldiplomacynews/content/articles/participantpapers/2 011-symposium/Sports-Diplomacy-a-hybrid-of-two-halves–Dr-Stuart-Murray.pdf on May, 17 2017 46 Zhang Qingmin, Sports Diplomacy: The Chinese Experience and Perspective. The Hague Journal of Diplomacy 8.2013. Retrieved from: https://www.deepdyve.com/lp/brill/sports-diplomacy-the- chinese-experience-and-perspective-JkjE0CSBzx). On May, 17 2017 47 Lincoln Allison, ‘Sport and Politics’, The Politics of Sport.p7 quoted in Zhang Qingmin: Sport Diplomacy: The Chinese Experience and Perspective from the Hague Journal of Diplomacy 8.2013 48 Zhang Qingmin, Sports Diplomacy: The Chinese Experience and Perspective. Retrieved from: https://www.deepdyve.com/lp/brill/sports-diplomacy-the-chinese-experience-and-perspective- JkjE0CSBzx on May, 17 2017

Meanwhile, diplomacy is the interconnection among one State with another. It defines the tactic of a State in order to conduct of relations between other States. The most important moment for the United States and China is to take a note that sport diplomacy between these State open widely since ping pong diplomacy. Ping pong diplomacy has changed and improved bilateral relations between the U.S and China which has been mentioned in the previous sub-chapter of this thesis writing. Diplomats are mostly known as political representative a State in order to further its national interests with the implementation of its foreign policy. However, in this 21st century, political representative of a country is not only diplomat, but also athletes.49 Athletes participate in international sport competition which can represent national reputation overseas. The successful diplomacy as a form of a State to gain and safeguard its national interests, meanwhile, successful athletes are important to bring national reputation and at the same time promote the ‗new face representative‘ of its State to the world to some extent.

Sport have a power to cover a wide portion of the world population, to inspire passion and interest in demographics not limited by age, gender, culture, or social background. Hence, sports are an appealing tool that countries often use for diplomatic purposes.50 This symbiosis of fields manifests itself most often in the form of organizing international sports manifestations, hiring renowned figures in the world of sports as country emissaries, or sending political signals through sporting events. However, it is greatly more flexible and diverse in its approach than the traditional diplomatic activities. This practice, referred to as ―sports diplomacy‖, is hardly a new development and examples of its application in foreign affairs of the great powers can be traced back to the Cold War era. Nevertheless, sports diplomacy today has a more prominent, more official place

49 Department Organization. Retrieved from: https://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/rls/dos/436.htm on May, 12 2017 50 Sport Diplomacy: Development and Practice. Retrieved from: http://fsprm.mk/wp- content/uploads/2015/05/Pages-from-RIK-_1_2015_za-email-21.pdf on November, 28 2016

17 in international relations due to the incorporation of institutional measures dedicated to its development in many states.51

“Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than government in breaking down racial barriers. It laughs in the face of all kinds of discrimination.” – Nelson Mandela, May 25, 200052 While participating in sporting activities people can build up interethnic experiences and develop trust in others as people tend to trust others more after some successful contact. It can be an assist perfectly delivered or an entertaining game, if you are open and show respect to others participating in the same sport activity, they tend to accept you without even considering your skin colour, race, religion, or any other different characteristics you might have. Even if prejudices do exist in the beginning, studies show that the image changes and becomes mostly positive when athletes with different ethnic backgrounds cooperate or compete against each other.53

The relationship between sport and international relations both as a political practice and a field of research has already been extensively discussed. However, some examples will be provided to help bring out a better picture of the situation. Secondly, it will be shown that sport can be used as an efficient tool for cultural diplomacy, as it is the purpose of this research. Indeed, it is hard to establish that it naturally leads to high-level meetings between political leaders, and that it is not those leaders who take advantage from regional or worldwide events, in order to advance their own interests. Both situations exist: in the case of international competitions set up by supranational organisations, Heads of State or Ministers have the opportunity to meet in a peaceful framework. However, states may also utilize sport to enhance their national prestige, demonstrate their

51 Ibid 52 Ibid 53 Vincent Mabillard and Dániel Jádi. Sport as Cultural Diplomacy. Retrieved from: https://sportdiplomacy.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/sports-as-cultural-diplomacy_en1.pdf on November, 29 2016

18 rise on the international stage, and make use of soft power to extend their regional and gobal influence. All in all, one thing must be recognised: sport can bring people together by giving the chance for peaceful dialogue to exist in a peaceful context.54 Through the promotion of physical activity and sporting events, individuals as well as nations have the opportunity to achieve greater mutual understanding and acceptance of common peaceful values, based on the respect of one another‘s culture.55

I.6.4. Framework Linkage

This thesis writing will use soft power, public diplomacy, and sport diplomacy concepts in order to analyze the research.

54 Ibid 55 Ibid

Figure 1.1 Theoritical Framework Linkage

To make a better understanding, take a look at Figure 1.1. From the picture above, the writer aims to analyze the use of sport diplomacy as the instrument of public diplomacy as well as soft power to create cooperation or good relationship between the States. In this case, sport diplomacy that going to be used is NBA as sport envoy to establish cooperation between the United States and China. The use of sport diplomacy could bring a better relations among the States through athlete exchange.

I.7. Scope and Limitation of Study

There are several scope and limitation of the study that should be explained first by the writer in this thesis writing due to the limitation of the time

20 and the limitation of the information. Hence, the limitation will be defined as below:

1. This thesis would be only focusing on the use of sport diplomacy by the United States through NBA envoys to the relations with the People‘s Republic of China 2. Level of analysis for this thesis writing is inter-state level analysis and dimension of analysis is cultural aspect, particularly through sports. 3. This data and information are used based on the U.S-China relations within sport diplomacy start from 2011-2015. The writer will explain about the NBA as a form of the U.S. sport diplomacy as part of its public diplomacy to strengthening its relations with China. Moreover, the writer will elaborate further about NBA as sport envoys to the U.S.-China relations.

I.8 Thesis Structure CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION

This chapter aims to introduce the whole content of the thesis writing briefly. This chapter contains sub-chapters such as: Background of Study, Problem Identification, Research Question, Research Objectives, Significance of Study, Theoretical Framework, and the Thesis Structure. By reading this chapter, the readers are expected to get the basic understanding view as well as knowledge on what would be discussed in this thesis writing. This chapter also will provoking the readers to read the whole content of this thesis.

CHAPTER II National Basketball Association as an Instrument of the United States Sport Diplomacy

This chapter will analyze the background of the United States and China sport relations through sport diplomacy. This chapter will focused on the role of NBA as the United States‘ sport diplomacy to strength its relations with China through basketball sport. At the same time, the U.S aims to promote it basketball culture in China.

CHAPTER III - The Elements of Public Diplomacy of the United States and China through Sport Diplomacy

In this chapter the writer will elaborate more about the three dimensions of public diplomacy that introduced by Joseph Nye. Daily communication, strategic communication, and diplomacy friendship will be explained in this chapter in order to explain the interconnection between the theory and the case of this thesis writing.

CHAPTER IV – The United States’ Public Diplomacy to Enhance Its Relations with People’s Republic of China through NBA Envoys as Sport Diplomacy

This chapter will be a bridge between chapter 2 and chapter 3 that aims to analyze U.S. – China relations after sport diplomacy. In this section, this thesis writing will explain about the consultation on people to people exchange (CPE) as a form to strengthening U.S. – China in the aspect of sport after sport diplomacy.

CHAPTER V - Conclusion

This is the last chapter of the conclusion of this thesis writing. Any recommendation or suggestion that may be useful for further research related to this thesis topic: United States of America Public Diplomacy: The Role of Sport Diplomacy in Affecting United States of America (USA) – People Republic of China (PRC) Relations Through National Basketball Association (NBA) envoys (2011-2015) will be elaborated clearly in this chapter.

CHAPTER II

National Basketball Association as an Instrument of the United States Sport Diplomacy

II. 1 The United States’ Sport Diplomacy from Ping-Pong to Hoop Diplomacy

The United States and China sport diplomatic relations started during friendly match to have exchange athletes in table tennis sport. The relations established when China invited the U.S athlete table tennis or well-known as Ping Pong to the country. As such, China‘s invitation accepted by the United States. Further diplomatic relations established when President Richard M. Nixon visited China in February 1972.56 Therefore, the establishment of Ping Pong Diplomacy created the history of Sport Diplomacy between the United States and China.

In the 21st century, basketball game in the United States represented by National Basketball Association (NBA) is going global. The U.S and China relations turned into the employment of new big global game basketball as the new diplomatic instruments for these two countries. Hence, sport diplomacy

56 National Archives Highlights-Ping Pong Diplomacy in August, Special Program and Document Display Mark Historical Sporting Event. Retrieved from: https://www.archives.gov/press/press- releases/2008/nr08-110.html on January, 27 2017

23 between the U.S and China shifted from Ping Pong Diplomacy into Hoop Diplomacy.57

This chapter will analyze the background of the United States and China sport relations through sport diplomacy. This chapter will focus on the role of NBA as the United States‘ sport diplomacy to strength its relations with China through basketball sport. At the same time, the U.S aims to promote it basketball culture in China.

II. 2 Ping Pong Diplomacy as the Beginning of the United States-China Sport Diplomacy

The relations between US and China have already been clouded by Cold war propaganda, trade embargos, and diplomatic silence ever since Mao Zedong‘s Communist revolution in 1949. Those two superpowers country had met on the battlefield during the Korean War, however there was no an official from US delegation to set foot in China in over 20 years. Then in 1971, the tension has been quite stable and both country were looking forward to start a new chapter by open dialogue with one another.58

American table tennis athletes received a surprise invitation by China in order to play a series exhibition games during the World Table Tennis Championships held in China see Figure 2.1.59 There were no athletes from America visited China before since 1949 when diplomatic ties between China and the West were formally severed after the Chinese Communist Party‘s Army o the

57 The term of Hoop Diplomacy is introduced by Pu HaoZhao in His dissertation entitled “Yao Ming, Globalization, and the Cultural Politics of the U.S-China Relations”. Hoop Diplomacy is another term of Basketball Diplomacy. Retrieved from: http://fsu.digital.flvc.org/islandora/object/fsu:183073/datastream/PDF/view on January, 27 2017 58 How Ping-Pong Diplomacy Thawed the Cold War. Retrieved from: http://www.history.com/news/ping-pong-diplomacy on January, 29 2017 59 The new ping pong diplomacy. Retrieved from: http://www.balanceofculture.com/2010/08/the-new-ping-pong-diplomacy-hollywood-style.html on May, 8 2017

Red Army that led by Mao Zedong defeated the forces of the Nationalist government led by Chiang Kai-Shek were forced into exile to Taiwan, where China was formed.

Figure 2.1 vice-premier Li Lanqing and former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger played ping-pong to mark the 30th anniversary of "Sino-US ping-pong diplomacy

China‘s invitation towards the US athlete welcomed by the US as the opportunity to establish good relationship between these two countries. President Richard M. Nixon stated: “We simply cannot afford to leave China outside the family nations”60

After the invitation by China to American table tennis teams, President Nixon sent Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger to Peking in order to have Presidential visit arrangement to the country. President Nixon visit have become one of the most memorable, yet important events in the United States‘ postwar history and relations with China. This is also become the breaking ice for US- China relations to open the door for People-to-People exchange.61 As a feedback toward American trip to China, the Chinese sent their table tennis team to the US

60 Statement by President Richard Nixon in the Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969=1976, Volume 1, Foundations of Foreign Policy, 1969-1972. Retrieved from: https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1969-76v01/d3 on January 27, 2017 61 Ping pong seen as way to lift Sino-US ties. Retrieved from: http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/us/2011-07/08/content_12866666.htm on January, 29 2017

25 for eight-day city tour. Nixon‘s visit to China back in February 1972 was the very first time in a history that an American president had traveled to the Chinese mainland, and Nixon called that eight-day trip as the ―the week that changed the world‖. Nixon has met with Zhou Enlai and Chairman Mao and took the very important first steps toward normalizing US - China relations. Nixon also has noted that the Chinese leaders took particular delight in reminding him that an exchange of ping-pong teams had initiated a breakthrough in their relations.62

Never before in history has a sport been used so effectively as a of international diplomacy and this is the week that changed the world.63 In February 2002, president George W. Bush was came to China and in his trip he recalled the meeting that came out because of Ping-Pong diplomacy, and also he was telling President Jiang Zemin that back in 1972 which is 30 years ago, President Richard Nixon showed the world that two great nation share the common interest in a spirit of mutual respect for the goodness for both nation in the future.64

II.2.1 The Result Outcome after Ping Pong Diplomacy

Ping pong diplomacy has brought a significant impact towards the United States and China. Chinese invitation to American athletes were welcomed warmly and exceedingly enthusiast. American athletes visited the mainland of China such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Hangzhou.

“A new chapter has been opened in the relations between our two peoples. American visit to China has opened the door to friendly contacts between our two countries. We believe that such friendly contacts will be favored and supported by the majority of the two peoples”65

62 How Ping-Pong Diplomacy Thawed the Cold War. Retrieved from: http://www.history.com/news/ping-pong-diplomacy on January, 27 2017 63 Quoted by Chinese Premier Chou En-Lai during President Richard Nixon visits China to established sport diplomatic relationship with China 64 Ping-Pong Diplomacy. Retrieved from: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/ping-pong- diplomacy-60307544/ on January, 29 2017 65 Statement by Chinese Prime Minister, Zhou Enlai, during his meeting with Chinese, American, and four teams in the Great Hall of China. Retrieved from:

Moreover, President Nixon welcomed the statement of Prime Minister Zhou by visiting official visit to China in order to explain the strategic agreement between two States. The development of sport exchange which held by these two States led a significant relation afterwards. Ping pong diplomacy has brought a significant and remarkable reaching between China and the United States.

Sport diplomacy aimed to become a bridge of two States or more in order to establish political relations despite of the difference of ideological aspect and so on. International Relations scholars Stuart Murray and Geoffrey Pigman believe that sport diplomacy aims as an instrument of challenge public opinion in two sides of States whether agree to take a more official diplomatic opening or not.

The establishment of table tennis exchange by China aimed to arrange the alteration of States in relations with the U.S, both in political and in psychological sense.66 The creation of sport diplomacy by China and the U.S motivate external opportunities for intergovernmental contacts as well as sport association or organizations. The opportunities create influential actors in sport that has constant rising professional sports league such as but not limited to International Olympic Committee (IOC) and NBA.67

Ping Pong Diplomacy used as a diplomatic tool that has become the great history between the United States and China to open its bilateral relations. These two States looked for a platform in order to establish a closer relation despite of tensions they might have without using traditional diplomatic contacts such as

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/311264592_Ping- Pong_Diplomacy_and_its_Legacy_in_the_American_Foreign_Policy_1 on March, 28 2017 66 Xia Y, Negotiating with the Enemy U.S-China Talks during the Cold War 1949-1972. 2006. Bloomington: Indiana University Press on March, 28 2017 67 Pu Haozhou. From Ping-Pong Diplomacy to Hoop Diplomacy: Yao Ming, Globalization, and the Cultural Politics of U.S-China Relations. 2012. Florida State University Library. Retrieved from: http://diginole.lib.fsu.edu/islandora/object/fsu:183073/datastream/PDF/view on March, 28 2017

27 using States representative ambassadors. In fact, sports exchange showed to be suitable solution.68

The result of Ping Pong Diplomacy as an alternative opportunity for diplomatic talk was advanced in bilateral relations between the U.S and China. The legacy of sport diplomacy through Ping Pong Diplomacy created a way of thinking that sports can be sport diplomatic tools to enhance relations between States. At the same time, sport diplomacy brought a positive result in cooperation between antagonized States69 towards Ping Pong Diplomacy. The United States could not deny the fact when PRC joined the security council in the United Nations, the U.S government decided to not to put aside the international

Figure 2.2 President Nixon with Prime Minister Zhou Enlai presence of China.70

68 Michal Marcin Kobierecki, Ping-Pong Diplomacy and its Legacy in the American Foreign Policy. Retrieved from: http://www.marszalek.com.pl/yearbook/docs/45/ppsy2016023.pdf on April 22 2017 69 Michal Marcin Kobierecki, Ping-Pong Diplomacy and its Legacy in the American Foreign Policy. Retrieved from: http://www.marszalek.com.pl/yearbook/docs/45/ppsy2016023.pdf on April 22 2017 70 Erik Bao, ‘Ping Pong Diplomacy: The Historic Opening of Sino-American Relations during the Nixon Administration Retrieved from:

China participated in the 31st World Championships in table tennis which was held by Japan in Nagoya in 1971. At the moment, China was not the big supporter of international sport federations. However, the existence of China in table tennis emerged during the involvement of its membership in International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF). China visited Japan to discuss its participation in Japan Table Tennis Federation Koji Goto through its Prime Minister Zhou Enlai. As a result, China succeed to enter the world championships that will be continued to Pong Pong Diplomacy. Moreover, Zhou Enlai as the influencer of Chinese sport diplomacy created a value for the athletes that will be sent abroad “Friendship first, than competition”.71 Afterwards, direct contact between Chinese and American athletes occurred. American and Chinese athletes arrange the meeting of table tennis. Thus, sport relations between the U.S and China continued until President Nixon visited China and Prime Minister of China Zhou Enlai give statement as follow:

“A new chapter has been opened in the relations between our two peoples. Your visit to China has opened the door to friendly contacts between our two countries. We believe that such friendly contacts will be favored and supported by the majority of the two peoples. Never before in history has a sport been used so effectively as a tool of international diplomacy”72 Shortly, sport exchange bring such as breakthrough development between the U.S and China. During President Nixon visits, the informal strategic treaty between two States remained in February 21, 1972. Figure 2.273 shows the handshake between President Mao Zedong and Nixon after the agreement of the U.S and China Ping Pong Diplomacy. https://www.ohiohistory.org/File%20Library/Education/National%20History%20Day%20in%20O hio/Nationals/Projects/2011/Bao.pdf on April 22 2017 71 This sport principle was introduced by Prime Minister of People’s Republic of China—Zhou Enlai—for Chinese athletes during the 31st World Championships Table Tennis in Nagoya, Japan 1971 72 The Statement of Zhou Enlai during President Nixon visits China. Retrieved from: http://www.marszalek.com.pl/yearbook/docs/45/ppsy2016023.pdf page 310 on March, 23 2017 73 Figure 4.1 citied from Appendix III https://www.ohiohistory.org/File%20Library/Education/National%20History%20Day%20in%20O hio/Nationals/Projects/2011/Bao.pdf on April 22 2017

The United States and China have not met a diplomatic relations until 1979 due to the issue of Taiwan, however, diplomatic relations through Ping Pong Diplomacy were outstanding and extensive.

Figure 2.3 President Nixon and Henry Kissinger in 1972

The successful of Ping Pong Diplomacy as the example of sports diplomacy aimed as a pivot to establish friendly relations to promote international friendship with no formal ties situation between States. Figure 2.374 shows the interaction between President Nixon and Henry Kissinger in 1972 after the secret visit to China for the first time. In that time, Kissinger served as the right-hand man in the United States‘ foreign policy in 1970s. Ping Pong Diplomacy aimed as a tool of testing whether public opinion in both countries would accept a more formal diplomatic opening.75

The successful of Ping Pong Diplomacy has deeply rooted for the U.S and China. The United States adapted ping pong diplomacy as a further diplomatic relations because it is a good platform to break the ice between antagonists States

74Figure 2.3 citied from Appendix I https://www.ohiohistory.org/File%20Library/Education/National%20History%20Day%20in%20O hio/Nationals/Projects/2011/Bao.pdf on April 22 2017 75 Stuart Murray, Ping Pong Diplomacy as the Gate of Sino-American Relations. Retrieved from: http://www.culturaldiplomacy.org/culturaldiplomacynews/content/articles/participantpapers/2 011-symposium/Sports-Diplomacy-a-hybrid-of-two-halves–Dr-Stuart-Murray.pdf on April 22 2017

30 that separated by hostility. As such, ping pong diplomacy is a great success and such a breakthrough relations between the U.S and China. Despite of conflicts they might have, sport diplomacy as a platform to create diplomatic ties between States.

II.2.2. The Emerging of Hoop Diplomacy through NBA Envoys

Ping Pong diplomacy described as “an apt metaphor for the relations between Washington and Peking with its premium on delicate skill and its onomatopoeic name implying an interplay of initiative and response”76, it is paving the way to an ice-breaking visit to Beijing by President Richard Nixon. Basketball is cultivating massive people to people exchange between the two countries, these intensive and large-scale U.S.-China basketball interactions date back to 2002 when then 22 years old Chinese athlete was drafted by the NBA.77 He was the cultural ambassador that actually bearing the mission to strengthening the relation of US and China, and also play a big role to the new terms ―Hoop Diplomacy‖.78

NBA China CEO, David Shoemaker stated that Yao Ming has brought such a huge changes in sport diplomacy between the US and China, which stated as follow:

“Yao was a transformational player, who did so much for the game of basketball in China and outside of China, he was really a catalyst back when he was drafted in 2002 to a whole new generation of fans, who grew a great interest in watching NBA basketball.”79

76 Beyond the Final Score: The Politics of Sport in Asia. Victor D. Cha P. 83 on February, 4 2017 77 NBA Boost US-China Sport Diplomacy. Retrieved from: http://uscpf.org/v3/2015/02/20/nba- boosts-us-china-sports-diplomacy/ on February, 6 2017 78 Further explanation regarding Yao Ming as the pinnacle of Chinese basketball player to NBA will be explained in chapter 3 79 Big things are happening in china. Retrieved from: http://www.nba.com/global/news/big_things_china_2012_02_03.html on April, 27 2017

Since the time of Yao, many sport journalist from China come to Houston in order to cover his game with the Houtson Rockets team every year.80 Moreover, Chinese sport journalists did not end up just cover Yao, but also wrote about the life and culture about American, which create a bridge between the fans of Chinese and American.

The NBA was attracted by Chinese enthusiasm with a large number of fans, approximately 450 million. Stern talked to Chinese Basketball Association in order to have partnership in an NBA-branded league in China. Since that moment, sport relations between the US and China are arising through NBA envoys as the United States‘ instrument of its sport diplomacy.81

II. 3 Basketball as National Sport in China

Basketball has been rooted to Chinese ever since the empire of Mao Zedong and also it is become the most attractive sport in China, Long March as the Red Army‘s who have been trained in the 1930s to evade Nationalist army as well as communist soldiers and officers played baskeball in order to lift their spirits and boost solidarity.82 As the time goes by, basketball is still one of the most played sport in china and actively played daily in the modern China. The interest of Chinese toward basketball has slowly changed the perspective from people on the stereotype of basketball that usually played by Western people. According to Chinese Basketball Association, there is approximately 300 million Chinese people play basketball in China, that amount of people are more of less equal with the entire population of the United States.83

Before the presence of NBA in China, basketball has already shaped the behavior of Chinese, through this sport they can connect one with another. In

80 Ibid 81 NBA has become part of Chinese culture. Retrieved from: http://www.nba.com/article/2016/10/07/nba-and-china-growing-relationship on May, 30 2017 82 Helen Gao, From Mao Zedong to Jeremy Lin. 2012. Retrieved from: https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2012/02/from-mao-zedong-to-jeremy-lin- why-basketball-is-chinas-biggest-sport/253427/ on March, 27 2017 83 Ibid

32 early 1990s where NBA has started to come to China, many of Chinese did not want to associate or mingle with American, however the factor of basketball start to connect and grip them slowly, it is simply because basketball is a national sport in for both country which are US and China that could connect people one with another regardless background or nation.84 Most of people play basketball in China were college students, members of communist party, western-minded scholars, who loved the sport for its cohesive power.

During the Cultural Revolution, Mao Zedong and the party keep continued to support basketball, even after he declared war against most of the western bourgeois and also against from classical music to novels, however he never changed his mind in support of basketball. Because of that condition, it makes children and young adult set up their own exercise equipment, they build up the board for basketball and hoop in alleys and courtyards. At that time if you were a teenager who loves sport, it means that there are only two option for you to choose what kind of sport you would like to play, which are ping pong or basketball and none others.85

The game of basketball also played by The People's Liberation Army that at that time they have around two million active members and they basketball to strengthening their relations among others and also to cultivate the tactical as well as teamwork among soldiers. At that time, basketball has become the most played and the most popular sport in the military camp, they also make a league for every level in military hierarchy. At that time, basketball has become the most played and popular sport among at the military camp among the soldier, they also make a league for each level in military hierarchy.86

84 Ibid 85 Mao Basketball, Not Baseball in China. Retrieved from: http://www.isidorsfugue.com/2015/07/mao-basketball-not-baseball-in-china.html on April, 24 2017 86 Helen Gao, From Mao Zedong to Jeremy Lin. 2012. Retrieved from: https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2012/02/from-mao-zedong-to-jeremy-lin- why-basketball-is-chinas-biggest-sport/253427/ on April, 24 2017

Due to China‘s one child policy implementation which is it makes every kid in China have no friend in home then basketball become a vessel for Chinese youth to make a new friend by playing together around their house. Even though Chinese government have not put a fully attention on their sport area just like what US government did toward their university student they conduct NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) for university student, Chinese student still try to make their own tournament within their university based on their major and compete each other as their annual event.87

II. 4. NBA Atmosphere in China

The NBA considers itself a global league and China is its most important market outside of the United States. It's also no accident that the two teams sent to China this year both boast foreign owners. Mikhail Prokhorov of Russia and Indian-born Vivek Ranadive own the Nets and Kings, respectively. Adam Silver, who took over as NBA commissioner last year, does not hide his zeal for the Chinese market, where an estimated 100 million fans watch his league regularly. In addition to sending teams to China for exhibitions, he talks about making NBA teams play early Saturday morning games in the States to accommodate the Chinese audience.

"Nothing can be No. 1 at anything in the world unless it is No. 1 in China," Silver told the Chinese media during this week's "Global Games" tour in China. "So not only do the Global Games bring the NBA to China, but through broadcasting our games in China around the globe they also bring China to the rest of the world‖. "When the potential audience becomes big enough, maybe it's not so crazy to ask a team once every two months to play a Saturday morning game”.88

87 Ibid 88 China NBA Love Affair, International Beijing translation in English. Retrieved from: http://www.ebeijing.gov.cn/feature_2/SportsinBeijing/t1430626.htm on March, 31 2017

The arrival of Yao in 2002 created enthusiasm inside the basketball world, supposedly throwing open the door to so many possibilities in terms of more players. Now every NBA club is scouting China, hopeful of finding the next star. Forward Yi Jianlian was drafted No. 6 overall by Milwaukee in 2007 and spent five seasons in the NBA playing for the New Jersey Nets, Washington Wizards and Dallas Mavericks before returning to the Chinese Basketball Association in 2012. Now he has signed on with the L.A. Lakers for this season. The Rockets made Zhou Qi a second round draft pick in June and will monitor the progress of the young, slight-of-build big man for the future. When Yao and Yi met for the first time in an NBA game during the 2007-08 season, the game that was shown live early in the morning, drew a TV audience of more than 200 million. That is comparable to the Super Bowl. 89

NBA is a well promoted and attractive western product, and as such its success within mainland China is hardly unprecedented, but the scope of its success perhaps is. For every Chinese who enjoys eating Big-Macs there is another who insists that Chinese cousin is much more profound and tasty than this western excuse of a meal, for every Chinese who enjoys a Hollywood action movie, there is another who is certain that Chinese Kong-fu films display much more impressive skill. When it comes to NBA, besides being a product of the world most appraised popular culture producer, it is (perhaps unlike American football or baseball) also a magnificent display of physical technique, which many young Chinese view as something that cannot be compared to anything else.

The government invests more and more money in basketball courts in both big cities and undeveloped regions, and meanwhile more Chinese youth play basketball than any other team or individual sports. And probably more than in any other place on the globe - Playing basketball on the court, anywhere in China,

89 NBA Has Become Part of Chinese Culture. Retrieved from: http://www.nba.com/article/2016/10/07/nba-and-china-growing-relationship on March, 31 2017

35 is directly linked to one's NBA aspirations, realistic or fantastic as they might be.90

Basketball participation never flagged during the Chinese civil war in the 1930s and was eventually given a prominent place in the People‘s Republic of China when Chou En Lai, the first prime minister, endorsed the game for its contribution to fitness and promotion of teamwork. The game even survived the dark days of the Cultural Revolution, when intellectuals and artists were sent to labor camps and jail, even executed. Basketball was not only tolerated but also encouraged during the reign of Chairman Mao Zedong.91

90 NBA in China - From the TV to the Streets, from Sports Fans to Everyday. Retrieved from: http://thinkingchinese.com/NBA-in-China on March 13, 2017 91 NBA has become a part of Chinese Culture. Retrieved from: http://www.nba.com/article/2016/10/07/nba-and-china-growing-relationship on March, 31 2017

CHAPTER III

The Elements of Public Diplomacy of the United States and China through Sport Diplomacy

In the previous chapter, this thesis writing has mentioned the dimensions of public diplomacy which introduced by Joseph Nye in public diplomacy. This chapter will elaborate more the three dimensions which are daily communication, strategic communication, and diplomacy friendship. Daily communication will explain about the sports relations through dialogue and agreement. The extent of Yao Ming as the Chinese NBA superstar will be explained to China and the U.S strategic communication. Meanwhile, diplomacy friendship forms will be elaborated as well in this chapter through sports seminar, sports events, and so on.

The writer would like to emphasized that the role of Yao Ming in China and the U. S relations is certainly significant due to his nationality is Chinese and he becomes the first international Asian legendary in NBA. The explanation of Yao Ming in this chapter cannot be put aside because Yao Ming has become the bridge between China and the U.S relations that has shifted ping pong diplomacy into basketball diplomacy.92 Moreover NBA under State Department‘s Sport United Office is a place for Yao Ming to show his outstanding talent in basketball and at the same time, create an image towards the most Chinese recognized among NBA players.93

92 From "Ping-Pong Diplomacy" to "Hoop Diplomacy": Yao Ming, Globalization, and the Cultural Politics of U.S.-China Relations retrieved from: http://diginole.lib.fsu.edu/islandora/object/fsu:183073/datastream/PDF/view on January, 21 2017 93 Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affair. Retrieved from: https://eca.state.gov/programs- initiatives/sports-diplomacy on April, 24 2017

III. 1. Sport Cooperation as Part of Daily Communication the U.S and China

The relations between the United States and China is keep moving forward despite of ups and downs since the relations between these two States established. The U.S and China have conducted wide-ranging cooperation and exchange such as economic, military, political, cultural, people-to-people.94

People to people exchanges and cultural exchange are the examples of the U.S-China bilateral relations. The United States and China have assigned the agreement towards the cultural cooperation, educational, science and technology, and sports. China has pledge to provide scholarships for 10.000 U.S students in order to continue the study in Chinese universities, the establishment of "Chinese Bridge" sponsored 10.000 schoarships, and exchange young athletes initiatives.95 Currently, the U.S and China relations become steadly robust in seeing over three million visits each year made by the U.S and China.

International friendship between the U.S and China as a form of exchanges and other collaboratins in culture, sports, and tourism are growing rapidly. The establishment of China-U.S Governors aim to stipulate platform engagement between local leaders and expand more cooperation in people to people exchanges and other aspects. The continuity of the U.S and China diplomatic relations is keep going rapidly, particularly in this chapter will be more focusing on sport relations.

III. 1. 1. Yao Ming as the Bridge between US-China Relations A 7ft. 6in (2.30m) walking tower or what so called as Yao Ming has made such a huge impact toward NBA and the game of basketball in his home country. Yao, who retired from the NBA at 30 years old in 2011 following a slew of injuries, was the first international player to be selected first overall in the NBA

94 Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the United States of America, China U.S Relations. 2012. http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/zmgxs/ocusr/t946195.htm on April 4 2017 95 Ibid

Draft in 2002 without having played college basketball in the United States. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in September 2016 as a global ambassador of basketball for his efforts on the court and off it in helping promote the game.96

The presence of Yao has brought a good impact for both nations, NBA has developed his presence and status to improve and grow the league as well as sport in China. Two years after he joined the league on 2004, NBA has become the very first American professional sport league to be able to play in China with his Houston Rockets on their preseason games.97 The NBA has played 12 preseason games in the country in four cities, and announced in October 2016 that it will open academies in Urumqi, Jinan and Hangzhou. Each elite training center will be staffed with NBA-trained coaches to develop male and female prospects both on and off the court.

The impact of Yao Ming has made NBA become the most popular American sport league in China, and also has generate a rapid economic growth for NBA China. Yao has made a very big influenced toward Chinese to put an interest in basketball, by watching him play on television or even try to pick one up and playing. In 2007, around 30 million of Chinese people are watching Yao play every week and it was supported also by Yi Jianlian a Chinese player who also played in NBA.98

"We're approaching a historic sporting moment-the basketball equivalent of the so-called ping-pong diplomacy of 1971. People in the U.S and China will be paying close attention to this game. They will instead tune in to see what the two nations have in common-shared passion for basketball99"

96 Yao Ming Influence’s on NBA. Retrieved from: https://michael-lore.com/2017/03/02/yao- mings-influence-on-nba-basketball-in-china/ on April, 4 2017 97 Ibid 98 Growth Spurt. Retrieved from: http://www.nba.com/fedex/eng/china.html on April, 23 2017 99 The statement of Li Yuanwei as Chinese Basketball Chief in 2009 during the ceremony of Yao Ming’s retirement. Retrieved from: http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/us/2011- 01/18/content_11874052.htm on April 12 2017

In fact, NBA in China is the largest overseas market with a record approximately 1,6 people who watched NBA television. Yao Ming has won people's heart with his hard-working attitude and humbleness. Furthermore, he is the most recognized Chinese in the United States. "As a President and also as a basketball fan, I have learned from the words of Yao Ming, who said: 'No matter whether you are new or an old team memberm you need time to adjust to one another”.100

The presence of Yao Ming is a symbol of the emergence of China in today‘s era as the dominant Chinese among NBA players as well as the big man and big inspiration for young basketball athletes. He is as the bridge across the Pacific, bringing together two vastly different cultures on the common grounds of sports.101

III. 2. NBA Boosts Basketball Athlete in China through Yao Ming

David Stern as the Chief commissioner NBA delivered a message to Yao during the press conference Yao's retirement as follow: "I do not think anybody was more of global icon in the NBA than Michael Jordan. But Yao is different. He's Chinese, and he is an icon for the globalization of our game. He is a symbol of this Chinese reaissance and their determination to compete on a world stage”.102

The impact of Yao's game in basketball goes extremely far beyond the court. Moreover, TIME Magazine listed Yao Ming as the most influential people in the world in 2004 because he has become the bridge to lessen the gap between

100 President Barack Obama statement in the U.S-China consultation people to people exchange. Retrieved from: https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2011/04/160628.htm on April, 12 2017 101 Fran Blinebury, Yao’s Pivot from China to U.S Became Center’s Biggest Move. Retrieved from: http://www.nba.com/2016/news/features/fran_blinebury/09/01/2016-hall-of-fame-inductee- profile-yao-ming/ on April 12 2017 102 The statement of David Stern as the Chief Commissioner NBA during Yao Ming’s retirement press conference. Retrieved from: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2011- 07/20/c_13998039.htm on April, 12 2017

China and the United States. After his retirement from NBA, Yao Ming developed Chinese young athletes through Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) to boost their confidence to go big in the match. NBA as the representative of the United States CPE and the Ministry of Education of China announced a comprehensive partnership between NBA China and the Ministry of Education to incorporate in order to facilitate and establish a fitness and basketball development curriculum in elementary, middle, and high schools across China.

Figure 3.1 NBA Commissioner Adam Silver with Chinese officials in Beijing

The succession of Yao Ming becomes the bridge towards the first collaboration between the United States through NBA and Ministry of Education of People‘s Republic of China to achieve 300 school kids in order to join sports, especially in basketball. Figure 3.1103 shows the result of consent between Ministry of Education of China and NBA. By doing so, The government of China will enhance sport facilities, to be more focused on to develop basketball among youth athletes in China. As a result, this collaboration grows into the first partnership of the U.S and China sport league since October 2014.104

103 Figure 3.1 citied from the official sites of NBA http://www.nba.com/2014/news/10/17/nba- ministry-of-education-in-china-join-to-push-basketball-fitness-in-chinese-schools/ on April, 12 2017 104 Ministry of Education in China, NBA Join Forces to reach 3 million school kids. Retrieved from: http://www.nba.com/2014/news/10/17/nba-ministry-of-education-in-china-join-to-push- basketball-fitness-in-chinese-schools/ on April, 12 2017

III. 2. 1 State Department’s Sport United Office throughout NBA and Ministry of Education of People’s Republic of China Collaboration to Establish Basketball Program

Diplomat is no longer only the characteristic to become the representative of a State. Individual, athletes, or even association or organization run into become the most important element to represent a State. Inheritor of Yao Ming through NBA as basketball global league creates a big step for the United States and China to enhance its relationship.105

The agreement between NBA and Ministry of Education People‘s Republic of China initiated on June 6. The collaboration consists of sports and education initiatives of the U.S-China High-Level Consultation on People to People Exchange106 in Beijing.107 The main programs of this part of education are to enhance facilitation of fitness and to develop basketball in the level of elementary, middle, and high school. There will be coaching clinics in order to train physical education teachers around 500 schools in ten provinces. The curriculum includes the learning theory and practice on-court such as drills to students and introduction toward basketball.

In order to enhance the quality of basketball development in China, NBA and Ministry of Education established a course-pilot committee from the experts of basketball from the United States and China to advice on the curriculum basketball school program. As such, NBA and Ministry of Education will work thoroughly in order to activate school-based basketball leagues and small

105 Department Organization. Retrieved from: https://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/rls/dos/436.htm on March, 23 2017 106 Further explanation regarding the High Consultation on People to People Exchange will be elaborated more in Chapter 4.

107 The State Council the People’s Republic of China, Tailor-made Basketball Program Will be Introduced to 500 Schools. Retrieved from: http://english.gov.cn/state_council/ministries/2016/06/07/content_281475366300113.htm April 12 2017

42 competitions to produce digital portal and training videos and other programs related to basketball in all level. By doing so, young athletes will be seen and at the same time will create basketball talent pool.

The collaboration was signed by the CEO of NBA China, David Shoemaker and Xu Tao as the Director of the International Cooperation and Exchange Department of the Ministry, Richard Stengel as the U.S Undersecretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, and Hao Ping as the Chinese Vice- Minister for Education.108 By doing so, the United States succeed in promoting basketball through NBA in China to create basketball program development.

“We are excited to have two great basketball coaches impart their knowledge and share their experiences with Chinese coaches. This is an important first step of the United States throughout NBA with the Ministry of Education to provide world-class basketball education to millions of Chinese students”109

In 2014, NBA and Ministry of Education started the coaching clinic program to basketball coaches in China that will be conducted by basketball experts from the U.S and China. There are approximately 200 Chinese coaches that have been selected by the Ministry of Education to have five days training with Jim O‘Brien as the Head coach and former Indiana Pacers as well as Ralph Willard as the Director of Basketball Operations and a former NBA assistant coach with the New York Knicks.110

The aim of the program itself is to push efforts to develop young Chinese starts athlete to be prepared for basketball league. Young basketball athletes will be place on talent pool Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) as a place for them to develop more their basketball skills. Therefore, there will be another Yao Ming‘s successor that is going to play in global league NBA.

108 The State Council the People’s Republic of China, Tailor-made Basketball Program Will be Introduced to 500 Schools. Retrieved from: http://english.gov.cn/state_council/ministries/2016/06/07/content_281475366300113.htm April 12 2017 109 Statement by NBA China CEO, David Shoemaker regarding the opening of coaching clinic basketball program to Chinese coaches. Retrieved from http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/sports/2014-12/08/content_19043721.htm on April 12 2017 110 Ibid

NBA who works under the States Department‘s Sports United Office cooperate one with another to bring Chinese basketball coaches and physical education trainers to the United States. In 2011, the first basketball Sports Visitor Program with China which assisted by the hand of Yao Ming promote basketball and to teach as well as motivate young athletes. For instance, young athletes from Georgetown University men basketball team visit to Beijing and Shanghai in order to play exhibition games, attend cultural events, and participate in community service activities.111

III.2.2. The Chinese Government Plans to Create More Beneficial Athletes

After the retirement of international legendary player Yao Ming Chinese government would like to enhance professional sports, particularly basketball and committed to open more private sector. Aside of create fitness facilities and add curriculum subject of basketball program assisted by NBA, the government also aims to provide social activities outlet, world class entertainment as well as to continue the legacy of Yao Ming.112 Any kind of social activities that related to sports and sport events will be supported fully by the government to raise awareness towards the importance of sports in China.

The government has evaluated the sport system in China since the retirement of Yao Ming in order to send qualified young athletes to national championship, NBA, as well as Olympic.113 Chinese people who participate in sport activities is considered has a strong nationalistic. As such, Chinese

111 US-China Sport Exchange Program in 2011. Retrieved from: http://www.china.org.cn/world/china_us_facts_2011/2011-08/05/content_23149478.htm on May, 30 2017 112 Matt Beyer, After Losing Yao Ming, the Chinese Government Plans to Spend Billions to Create ore Profitable Athletes and Sports Facilities. 2011. Retrieved from: http://www.businessinsider.com/china-sports-industry-2011-10?IR=T&r=US&IR=T on April, 12 2017 113 From "Ping-Pong Diplomacy" to "Hoop Diplomacy": Yao Ming, Globalization, and the Cultural Politics of U.S.-China Relations retrieved from: http://diginole.lib.fsu.edu/islandora/object/fsu:183073/datastream/PDF/view on January, 21 2017

44 government is willing to spend billion including having cooperation with private sectors such as NBA, CBA, and others as well as enhance fitness facilities.

Chinese government sees sports as a cultural industry and at the same time as educational tool.114 Moreover, Chinese government aims to produce more athletes since the emergence of Yao Ming as Chinese basketball star who can obtain a status in NBA basketball. By doing so, people domestically and internationally will seek potential athletes in China and companies will corporate and invest more which could beneficial to the government.

In the next five year until 2015, China will try to rapidly expand its sports services.115 Chinese government is ready to welcome foreign companies to assist the new mission such as the cooperation with NBA under collaboration with State Department‘s Sport United Office that has been mentioned in the previous sub- chapter. This new mission comes up because in the previous fifteen years, China putted aside the importance of sport in educational system116 and influenced bad routines of Chinese youth since they had to prepare modest examinations. Meanwhile, youth in the United States are exceedingly strong in sport activities because it is part of their culture. Therefore, Chinese government aims to rebuild the new mission of sports and encourage professional talents, organizations, foreign investment, and school to achieve the objective.

114 Matt Beyer, After Losing Yao Ming, the Chinese Government Plans to Spend Billions to Create ore Profitable Athletes and Sports Facilities. 2011. Retrieved from: http://www.businessinsider.com/china-sports-industry-2011-10?IR=T&r=US&IR=T on April, 12 2017 115 Sino-U,S Relations: Fact and Figures. Retrieved from: http://www1.china.org.cn/world/china_us_facts_2011/2011-07/13/content_22982394.htm on April, 12 2017 116 Ibid

III. 3. Friendship Collaboration between NBA and Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) to Enhance Basketball Diplomacy

Ministry of Education of People‘s Republic of China engaged as well with CBA to assist the basketball development program that also signed by NBA. NBA and CBA are working on together to enhance Chinese basketball level and bring the competition in to the new heights.117

In order to raise the awareness towards the importance of basketball, NBA players engage with Chinese fans and Asia communities by celebrating Chinese New Year in China. By doing so, they will educate them and at the same time engage local fans along with Chinese culture in 2015.118 The NBA teams such as Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors, Toronto Raptors, and Cleveland Cavaliers have considered as the Chinese friendly team and embraced the communities in the cities.

David Shoemaker believes by celebrating Chinese New Year incorporate with CBA to engage local fans, it aims to appreciate Chinese people that have become the largest NBA market in the world and it is a way to give back to them.119 There were friendly match between NBA and CBA athletes such as LeBron James, Yao Ming, Jeremy Lin Stephon Marbury, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and so forth. This friendly match shows the importance how to keep the U.S and China relations and enhance it through basketball.

Basketball diplomacy which driven by Yao Ming as the bridge of China has opened the U.S and China relations in basketball. After his retirement in 2011, Yao Ming developed CBA in order to produce young athletes to continue

117 Basketball in China. Retrieved from: http://www.china.org.cn/english/features/2004- 2005cba/118962.htm on March, 24 2017 118 US. Department of State Diplomacy Action. NBA Embraces a Full Chinese New Year Celebration. 2015. Retrieved from: https://2009- 2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2015/06/244183.htm on April, 12 2017 119 Curry, Davis, Harden and Lin light up NBA Chinese New Year Celebration 2017. Retrieved from: http://pr.nba.com/nba-chinese-new-year-celebration-2017/ on May, 2 2017

46 his success. By his assistance, friendly match between NBA and CBA occurred in order to develop basketball skills from the expert.120

Cooperation between the U.S and China in order to develop coaching program for basketball trainers as part of the consent between Ministry of Education and NBA continues. CBA will choose the selected outstanding coaches at national level and on to be trained in NBA Development League. By doing do, the selected candidates will be able to become NBA assistant coaches as a small step to start in global professional league and will coach different kind of games and training.121

III. 3. 1. The Development of Sport Diplomacy through Sport Activities

Aside of using basketball as sport diplomacy, the U.S and China are having several another sport activities that could enhance its relations. The United States and China has established sport diplomacy since 40 years ago using ping pong diplomacy. The U.S and China sport diplomacy has become broader and wider and the most popular sport in common between these two States are basketball diplomacy. Any kind of collaboration between States Department and organizations or association continues to assist government in order to promote international peace through sports despite of many tensions these two States have. The U. S and China use sports as a bridge to connect with the people.122

States Department‘s Sports United Office collaborates with the NBA to increase sports relations and held sports seminar so-called as Sports United and the Chinese General Administration of Sports in cooperation with American College of Sports Medicine. The seminar entitled Innovation and Collaboration

120 Ibid 121 Official Website of the Chinese Olympic Committee. NBA and CBA to Cooperate in Coaching Program. Retrieved from: http://en.olympic.cn/news/coc_exchanges/2009-10-12/1895826.html on April, 12 2017 122 Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs. U.S-China Consultation on People to People Exchange (CPE).2015. Retrieved from: https://2009- 2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2015/06/244183.htm on April, 12 2017

47 in Youth Sports and Health: Global Insights from China and the United States that includes the main topic such as youth sports, prevention of obesity, physical activities.123 Not only through sport seminars, the U.S and China are also involved disability sports such as the Chinese Disabled Persons Federation, U.S Paralympic Committee, and the Special Olympic highlights the people-to-people exchanges. Athlete exchanges are applicable as well in the various competitions and friendly matches.

Basketball was quietly introduced to China in the 1890s, but there is nothing modest about the number of people consuming the sport there now. More than 760 million people watched at least one NBA game on television in China last year, according to the league. The NBA has played 22 preseason games in China over the years, and all have been sellouts.

Figure 3.2 NBA are celebrating Chinese New Year

Another unique ways to enhance the U.S and China relations through basketball is by celebrate the Chinese New Year (CNY). CNY is the annual tradition event held by NBA in order to outreach Chinese fan base. Figure 3.2124

123 Ibid 124 NBA stars Curry, Davis, Harden, Lin highlight league Chinese New Year celebration. Retrieved from: http://www.nba.com/article/2017/01/11/nba-stars-curry-davis-harden-lin-highlight- league-chinese-new-year-celebration on May, 7 2017

48 are showing us that during the CNY, all teams have to use special jersey which consist of their team with Hanzi or Chinese alphabetical and they are rolling out its biggest star to celebrate CNY together.125 It will enhance Chinese fan base because there will be live broadcast that record 60 games featured with 30 teams. NBA and Chinese basketball stars such as Jeremy Lin, James Harden, Stephen Curry celebrate all together to respect the U.S and China relations as well.

Basketball league has become the whole new level to connect the audience with sport of basketball. David Shoemaker as the CEO of NBA in China give a statement as follow: "We have de-emphasized, in the last few years, the importance of growing the popularity of the NBA in China and really put our focus on developing the game of basketball and getting more people to play it.”126

As a result, States‘ Department Sport of the United States collaborate with NBA to launch NBA training academies in the several cities of China such as but not limited to Jinan, Urumqi, and Hangzhou. NBA will partnering with provincial sports bureaus in order to assist basketball development program for Chinese future talents that will continue Yao Ming‘s legacy. Young talents will be placed in student housing and the selected 16 male and female teenage prospect will be trained with a strategy and accelerate their growth in order to play with elites international opponents.127

125 Ibid 126 Chinese NBA Love Affair. Retrieved from: http://www.ebeijing.gov.cn/feature_2/SportsinBeijing/t1430626.htm on May, 10 2017 127 Ibid

CHAPTER IV

The United States’ Public Diplomacy to Enhance Its Relations with People’s Republic of China through NBA Envoys as Sport Diplomacy

IV. 1 NBA as the United States’ Sport Diplomacy to Promote Basketball Culture to China

After the successful of Ping Pong Diplomacy, the new platform has emerged. The National Basketball Association (NBA) is the largest and biggest professional basketball league in the world. The NBA itself worked under State Department‘s Sport United Office of the United States. Every year, NBA always celebrate the annual All-Star game, in which all the best players of NBA from East and West gather to have friendly match in order to determine who is the real NBA champion. The emerging of Michael Jordan increased the popularity of basketball game globally. NBA and the United States government cooperate in order to promote American culture globally, particularly in promoting basketball through NBA.128

“Sport Diplomacy through NBA has emerged as an integral part of efforts to build-ever strengthening relations between the United States and other nations, particularly China as the largest market. Sports diplomacy uses the universal passion for sports as a way to transcend linguistic and sociocultural differences and bring people together. Participation in sports teaches leadership, teamwork, and communication skills that help young people succeed in all areas of their lives. NBA also become the bridge for US to strengthening our relations with China and developed more cooperation to balance world security and peace.”129

128 U.S Department of State: Diplomacy in Action, Sports in America: NBA and Basketball.2009- 2017 Retrieved from: https://usa.usembassy.de/sports-basketball.htm January 30 2017 129 Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Sport Diplomacy and NBA-China relations. Retrieved from: https://eca.state.gov/programs-initiatives/sports-diplomacy on January 30 2017

NBA has participate in extensive efforts in order to drive basketball sport to China. The result of NBA influence towards Chinese people have been mainly successful, in which there are approximately 300 million Chinese people who play basketball as their main sport and the most-viewed of NBA season is from China. NBA has become the US sport diplomacy to China in order to establish cooperation with China through basketball, particularly NBA envoys.130 As it is stated in the statement above, the cooperation aims to balance the world peace in the middle of many tensions in international order. Hence, as two major powers, the US and China have to be able to create world peace and stability, in which in this case is through sport diplomacy. Meanwhile in China, basketball has become of youth lifestyle as well as activities, both in school or college and external activities. “Basketball is a part of the Chinese culture. It is a game that has long been enjoyed by the population”.131

The statement above stated by Meng Wang as the analyst and commentator at the same time for Tencent, in which it is the largest and most used internet portal in China. Basketball culture encouraged during the administration of Mao Zedong. Sung Tao was the first Chinese player that drafted by the Atlanta Hawks in 1987 and followed with Wang Zhizhi who was drafted by Dallas Mavericks in 1999.

130 US – China Consultation People to People Exchange. Retrieved from: https://2009- 2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2016/06/258141.htm on May, 10 2017 131 Dean Blinebury, Basketball has become part of the Chinese Culture, Retrieved from: http://www.nba.com/article/2016/10/07/nba-and-china-growing-relationship January 28 2017

Figure 4.1 Steve Francis, Michael Jordan and Yao Ming in NBA All Star Photoshoot

However, the person who become an eight-time All Star in a row which shown in Figure 4.1132 has open the door to the top overall pick, which is Yao Ming He becomes the worldwide celebrity as a pitchman or endorser for dozens of products, and was inducted with Allen Iverson and Shaquille O‘Neal into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.133 The influence of NBA towards Asia, particularly in China is beyond expectation according to the former of NBA commissioner, David Stern. He pushed NBA for the league into Asia as a general and the same time one of the prosperous market, China. “In China, basketball is perhaps the only true national sport, the only sport that brings together people of all background and kindles the nation”134

132 From the Vault: Yao's All-Star Game. Retrieved from: https://watch.nba.com/video/2017/02/03/yao-ming-first-all-star-game on May, 7 2017 133 ibid 134 Helen Gao, From Mao Zedong to Jeremly Lin: Why Basketball Is China’s Biggest Sport”. Retrieved from: https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2012/02/from-mao-zedong- to-jeremy-lin-why-basketball-is-chinas-biggest-sport/253427/ on January 29 2017

Most kids and teenagers in China are highly enthusiast with NBA players such as but not limited to Michael Jordan, Shaquille O‘Neal, Stephon Marbury, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and so on. Basketball provides Chinese youth, particularly who have no siblings in regards of China‘s one-child policy, to have deep connection by playing basketball with their colleague.

Figure 4.2 7th Annual US – China high-level consultation on People-to-People Exchange

In Figure 4.2135 we can see the United States Department of State has organized several programs for Chinese athletes and coaches to exchange ideas and culture through basketball and other sports as well. In fact, the United States Department State organized NBA basketball envoy program in northern China.136

135 US-China consultation people to people exchange. Retrieved from: https://2009- 2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2016/06/258141.htm on May, 7 2017 136 Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State. Retrieved from: https://eca.state.gov/programs-initiatives/sports-diplomacy/special-initiatives February 1 2017

Moreover, the U.S Department State will continue to the extent of Consultation People-to-People Exchange (CPE) through other unique programs in China.137

IV.2 Consultation People-to-People Exchange between the United States and China

The Consultation People-to-People Exchange or shorted as CPE aims to strengthen and enhance the relations between the United States and China in the area of sports, culture, and education. The CPE was initiated by the Secretary State Hillary Clinton and Chinese State Councilor Liu Yandong in May 2010. In other words, CPE is collaboration between the U.S government with China in order to continue sport diplomacy through NBA which represents the U.S as sport envoys.138

The sport exchange program established after knowing that the retirement of Yao Ming will be conducted in 2011. CPE was established as a form to respect and to continue sport diplomacy between the U.S and China after the successful of Ping Pong Diplomacy.139 The State Department‘s Sport United Office that cooperate with NBA brought Chinese basketball coaches and teach physical education in the United States. In February 2011, basketball Sports Visitor program for the first time collaborate with China to teach and motivate young athletes. For instance, men‘s basketball team from Georgetown University visited

137 Further explanation about Consultation People-to-People Exchange (CPE) will be elaborated in Chapter 3 138 US and NBA Stars Promote Basketball, Life Skills in China. Retrieved from: http://iipdigital.usembassy.gov/st/english/article/2012/07/201207028424.html#axzz4YUIxsbvM on Febuary, 1 2017 139 U.S-China CPE Cooperation on Sports Fact Sheets, Office of the Spokesman, Washington DC. April 12, 2011. Retrieved from: https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2011/04/160628.htm on April, 22 2017

Shanghai and Beijing in 2011 to play exhibition games, attending cultural events, and participate in community services activities.140

The existence of CPE lies in amity between the U.S and China according on the mutual interests and understanding. CPE raise the awareness of people towards diversity despite of history differences, culture, ideology, and social system. The U.S and China High Level Consultation on People to People Exchange established in 2010 which brought a friendly cooperation that lead a closer cooperation in six aspects such as education, science and technology, culture, women, youth, and most importantly sports.141

Judith A. McHale states on her opening remarks on the second annual U.S- China Consultation on People-to-People Exchange in 2011 as follow:

“We hope to expand our people-to-people exchanges are through cultural and sport diplomacy. These area s where we can do the most to reach out to young audiences and undeserved populations we might not otherwise be able to engage. These are also areas where speaking the same language is not required in order to understand how much we have in common. Sports competition need no translation. And to turn our mutual appreciation for athletic achievement into mutual respect for the unique history and culture of our countries. We can explore the best ways to encourage young people to reap the physical and personal benefits of active lifestyle with exchanges of athletes and their coaches at every level, from professional athletes to young teams. We have brought a group of physical education teachers and youth basketball coaches from China to meet with their peers in Washington and Los Angeles. They shared their experiences and ideas with one another and took away new insights about the special opportunities for teaching and motivating young athletes142.”

140 Sino-US Relations: Facts and Figues. U.S-China Sports Exchange Programs in 2011. Retrieved from: http://www.china.org.cn/world/china_us_facts_2011/2011-08/05/content_23149478.htm on February, 1 2017 141 U.S and China Strengthen Bonds People-to-People: Column: Retrieved from: https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2013/11/17/us-china-relations-exchange-education- column/3619945/ on April, 22 2017 142 Opening remarks of the Second Annual U.S-China Consultation on People to People Exchange by Judith a. McHale under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Washington DC. April 11, 2011. Retrieved from: https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/remarks/2011/160485.htm on April, 22 2017

Vice Premier Liu Yandong and Secretary of State John Kerry of the US co-chaired the plenary session of the seventh round of China-US High-Level Consultation on People-to-People Exchange (CPE) in Beijing. Liu Yandong fully recognized the positive results of the CPE mechanism. The result outcome of CPE has been brought a very good impact toward both nations, she said that with personal promotion of the two heads of state, the CPE mechanism was established in 2010 as the time required, and has been constantly improved since then. First, its coverage has been constantly expanded from the initial four major areas to seven fields today, namely education, science and technology, culture, sports, woman, youth and public health. The number of results of the consultation has increased from 13 to over 400.144 Second, the scale of exchange has been continuously broadened. The number of Chinese students studying in the US has been doubled from more than 300,000 to nearly 600,000, and China remains to be the biggest source of international students in the US. The number of Chinese tourists visiting the US has been quadrupled, rising from over 700,000 to nearly three million.145

143 The Sixth Round of China-US High-level Consultation on People-to-People Exchange Held in US Liu Yandong Attends the Plenary Session and Delivers a Speech. Retrieved from: http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/wjb_663304/zzjg_663340/bmdyzs_664814/xwlb_664816/t1 276880.shtml on May, 18 2017 144 Liu Yandong Comments on Results of China-US High-Level Consultation on People-to-People Exchange. Retrieved from: http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/wjb_663304/zzjg_663340/bmdyzs_664814/xwlb_664816/t1 371466.shtml on May, 17 2017 145 Ibid

As shown on Figure 4.3146, On June 21, 2015, Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong meets with official from NBA Houston Rocket‘ basketball team emphasized that basketball diplomacy aims to strengthen mutual understanding and friendship between the Chinese and American people.147 CPE has played a momentous role in the U.S and China relations. NBA role as a sport envoy of these two States from the side of the United States. Meanwhile, Yao Ming as Chinese basketball superstar also becomes the bridge of the U.S and China friendship. NBA along with Liu encouraged Chinese students to promote the goodwill of international friendship and continue Yao‘s legacy. At the same time, Chinese students urge to make contribution to the friendship of two major

Figure 4.3 Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong (3rd L) meets with officials from the NBA during a visit to NBA countries relations. Liu expects Chinese students will be able to develop their basketball skills and go overseas to take training opportunity and at the same time learn to enhance communication skills. Moreover, Chinese government welcomed a basketball friendly match between the U.S and China‘s high school students.

Michelle Obama as the First Lady fully supports the CPE program when she visits China in order to respect the program on the importance of cultural exchanges as well as sports. The existence of NBA and Yao Ming in basketball world brought such a huge impact toward these two States. In order to promote youth and basketball development, NBA open NBA Yao School in Beijing on and off basketball courts as well as NBA will lead youth-exchange at the World

146 Chinese official urges "basketball diplomacy" to enhance China-U.S. people-to-people exchanges. Retrieved from: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2015- 06/22/c_134346029_3.htm on May, 8 2017 147 Chinese official urges “basketball diplomacy to enhance China-U.S people-to-people exchanges. Retrieved from: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2015- 06/22/c_134346029_3.htm on April, 22 2017

Youth Olympic Games that will be held on August 2014.148 Yang Liguo as the Vice-President and Secretary General of the Federation of University Sports China delivered his opening remarks at the U.S-China University Sports and Education Summit as follow: “The collegiate athletic system in the U.S has been world-famous in not only developing elite athletes but also cultivating leaders in other fields. We are learning and borrowing their experiences to adjust our own program to enhance sport’s role in education as a whole.”149

The statements above from Michelle Obama and Yang Liguo give a clear picture toward the importance of sport particularly basketball field shared common area. The existence of NBA in China influence young people in China to play basketball even more. Youth in China are exceedingly attracted with basketball, particularly in seeing their inspirations such as but not limited to Yao Ming, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryan, Shaquille O‘Neal, Kevin Durant, and so forth. As a result, the establishment of CPE itself motivates young people to develop their basketball skills so they can be sent to NBA camp in the United States.

IV.3 The Role of American NBA Players in Influencing Basketball to Chinese People

There are several NBA players from America that have huge influences toward Chinese people. Steve Nash as retired professional basketball players in NBA visit China to play in order to conduct charity games, which include fund raising for children who suffer from HIV/AIDS and those children who live in rural areas. Shaquille O‘Neal also comes over to China in order to celebrate

148 Lauren Vrazilek, The First Lady’s Message to the United States-China Consultation on People- to-People Exchange. Retrieved from: https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2014/07/10/first-ladys-message-united-states- china-consultation-people-people-exchange on April, 22 2017 149 The statement delivered by Yang Liguo as the Vice-President and Secretary-General of the Federation of University Sports China. Retrieved from: http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2016- 11/28/content_27502744.htm o April, 22 2017

Lunar New Year, in which the actions of Nash and O‘Neal were assisted by Yao Ming.150

Aside of two American NBA players above, there is also one of the most influential NBA players, namely Stephon Marbury. Stephon Marbury decided to leave the United States and continue his career by joining Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) in 2010 and official to become permanent resident in China. Marbury awarded honorary citizenship by People‘s Republic of China Foreign Ministry as well as his involvement in Beijing Ducks team, see Figure 4.4.151 He is the first foreign-born player in the history of CBA and the first foreign player who applied Chinese green card and successfully brought the team to winning victory in the championship of CBA three times in a row.

Figure 4.4 Stephon Marbury granted honorary citizenship of Beijing

His role in basketball in China is really huge. Moreover, Marbury also has bronze statue in order to honor his contribution and his name also written in China Daily newspaper as the first-person column. “It is a true honor to be part

150 The U.S-China Policy Foundation: Enhancing Mutual Understanding and Promoting Positive Relations: NBA Boost US-China Sport Diplomacy. Retrieved from: http://uscpf.org/v3/2015/02/20/nba-boosts-us-china-sports-diplomacy/ on February, 6 2017 151 Marbury made honorary citizen of Beijing. Retrieved from: http://beijing.china.org.cn/2014- 04/03/content_31992174.htm on May, 8 2017

59 of the capital of China. I hope I can not only help win more championships but continue to bring positive energy and love.”152

NBA has brought such a huge influence towards Chinese people in playing basketball. Yao, Marbury, Nash, O‘Neal, and other NBA players popularity has driven China into the NBA‘s largest overseas market.153

“There are approximately more than 300 million people playing basketball in China, NBA China has more than 93 million followers on its social media platforms. The league has stage 18 games in China, with the Brooklyn Nets and Sacramento Kings playing in the latest pair of games in October 2014”154 Houston Rockets and New Orleans Pelicans sweep into Shanghai and Beijing for a pair of season NBA games, which bring the excitement through NBA players such as but not limited to James Harden and Anthony Davis. Chinese fans attracted to Michael Jordan, meanwhile Yao was popular as one of their own and the Shaq‘s great size and strength was awed and respected, most of their admiration is for guards and wing players, in which Harden, Stephen Curry and LeBron James are also favorites.155

IV.4 Sport Envoys and Athlete Exchange between United States and China 2011 – 2015

On the theoretical framework there are 2 branches of sports diplomacy which are sport envoys and athlete exchange, sport envoys are athletes and coaches who travel overseas to lead programs that were developed by U.S. embassies and consulates. These American coaches and athletes hold sports

152 Quoted from Marbury statement during his press conference when receiving permanent residence card. Retrieved from: http://www.nba.com/nets/stephon-marbury-all-star-highlights/ on May, 1 2017 153 The U.S-China Policy Foundation: Enhancing Mutual Understanding and Promoting Positive Relations: NBA Boost US-China Sport Diplomacy. Retrieved from: http://uscpf.org/v3/2015/02/20/nba-boosts-us-china-sports-diplomacy/ on February, 6 2017 154 The Statement from the U.S-China Policy Foundation regarding the number of basketball players in China as a result of NBA influence on February, 6 2017 155 Dean Blinebury, Basketball has become part of the Chinese Culture, Retrieved from: http://www.nba.com/article/2016/10/07/nba-and-china-growing-relationship January, 28 2017

60 clinics for young people and their coaches, participate in community outreach activities, and engage youth in a dialogue on the importance of leadership and respect for diversity. Sports United manages the Sports Envoy programs, working in cooperation with the U.S. Olympic Committee, U.S. sports federations, and professional leagues.156 Meanwhile athlete exchange is part of athlete‘s education who leaves their home countries to spend anywhere between a few weeks and an entire year within a foreign country. During this time, most must attempt to learn as well as enhace their skill and of course gain a new experience through the means of direct application.157

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 1st annual of 40th sport receive first coaching NBA global CPE. anniversary of high-level clinic for games in President attention in Chinese China. Nixon's visit both nations. university and to China. middle school basketball coaches. first-ever 2nd annual of 200 Chinese NBA teams basketball CPE. coaches will will using Sports Visitor participate in Chinese New Program with the five-day Year uniform China. development edition. training. Figure 4.5 Timeline of the US and China sport relations 2011-2015

156 Sport Envoys Program. Retrieved from: https://exchanges.state.gov/us/program/sports- envoy-program on June, 1 2017 157 Sport envoys and sport visitor. Retrieved from: https://eca.state.gov/programs- initiatives/sports-diplomacy/sports-envoys-and-sports-visitors on June, 1 2017

US and China were having a good sport relation between the year of 2011 until 2015, it shows that on April 12, 2011, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Chinese State Councilor Liu Yandong held the first annual U.S-China Consultation People to People exchange.158 In cooperation with the National Basketball Association, the Department of State‘s Sports United Office brought Chinese basketball coaches and physical education teachers to the U.S. in February 2011 for the first-ever basketball Sports Visitor Program with China, which focused on teaching and motivating young athletes. Georgetown University‘s men‘s basketball team will travel to Shanghai and Beijing in summer 2011 to play exhibition games, attend cultural events, and participate in community service activities.159 The year of 2011 was the year where first ever basketball activities in China which was involved young athlete in China to develop their skill and enchance their capabillity in term of basketball skill as well as gain new experience from different athmosphere and environment, therefore this year was a very good start for the implementation of sport envoy in China.

The second annual US-China CPE meeting was held in Beijing, China from 3rd – 4th May 2012 in to enhance the quality and maintain a good relation between both country. Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin announced that the State Councilor Liu Yandong and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was attend and co-host the meeting.160 Ever since the CPE was established in 2010, the annual meeting between US-China about CPE is annualy conduct in order to improve the quality of CPE itself and also to maintain a good relation to both country.

“That year was mark the 40th anniversary of President Nixon's visit to China and the issuance of the Shanghai Communiqué. China-US relations have reached what Confucius called "the age of no perplexity". As an ancient Chinese saying goes, The whole year's work depends on a good start in spring. The

158 U.S-China CPE Cooperation on Sports Fact Sheets, Office of the Spokesman, Washington DC. April 12, 2011. Retrieved from: https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2011/04/160628.htm on April, 22 2017 159 US – China CPE cooperation on culture. Retrieved from: https://2009- 2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2011/04/160619.htm on May, 17 2017 160 China, U.S. to hold third CPE in Beijing. Retrieved from: http://www.china- embassy.org/eng/zmgx/zxxx/t925494.htm on June, 1 2017

62 successful meeting between President Hu Jintao and President Barack Obama in Seoul and the productive visit to the US by Vice President Xi Jinping signify another promising spring in China-US relationship in 2012.”161

Two countries were ensured and conviced that the third annual meeting of the US-China CPE will further promote the steady growth of the China-US relations on the year of 2012 and further even beyond.

The U.S and China sports diplomacy relations also stated in its official statement as follow:

“More than 40 years ago, “ping pong diplomacy” paved the way for the re-establishment of relations between the United States and China. From large international competition like the Olympics to State Department-supported exchange programs in Guangzhou and Chengdu, to the NBA pre-season games played in Beijing and Shanghai in October 2013, sports receive high-level attention in both nations”.162 The popularity of basketball in China influenced the people, particularly youth to join basketball competition as well as sport exchange. NBA has become the instrument for the United States in order to tight its relations with China in sport area, in which China as the largest NBA market in Asia and also it was supported because of sport already received a high level attention in both nations.

In the year of 2014, NBA China and the Ministry of Education of China started their first coaching clinic for Chinese students from middle school to university coaches in Shenzhen, China. The coaching clinic is part of NBA China and the Ministry of Education's partnership to incorporate a fitness and basketball development curriculum in schools across China.163 More than 200 Chinese coaches selected by the Ministry of Education will participate in the five-day clinic. In October 2014, the NBA and the Chinese Ministry of Education announced and did a partnership to grow basketball throughout China by

161 Deepen China-US People-to-People Exchange to Build a New Type of Relationship Between Major Countries. Retrieved rom: http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/wjdt_665385/zyjh_665391/t932990.shtml on June, 1 2017 162 Embassy of the United States in Beijing China, Facts on U.S-China Consultation on People-to – People Exchange.November 21, 2013. Retrieved from: http://beijing.usembassy- china.org.cn/mobile//cpe_2013.html on January 30 2016 163 NBA Launches Coaching Clinic in China. Retrieved from: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/sports/2014-12/08/content_19043721.htm on June, 1 2017

63 incorporating a fitness and basketball development curriculum in elementary, middle and high schools across China. The partnership aims to grow basketball participation among students by providing enhanced basketball training to at least 3 million students by 2017.164

The partnership with the Ministry of Education builds on the NBA's basketball and youth development efforts in China. In February 2014, NBA China and Yao Ming launched the first ever after-school basketball program in Beijing, provided basketball training and fitness programs for boys and girls at all skill levels, while also taught the importance of teamwork, leadership and communication in a fun basketball environment.165 By establishing fitness and basketball development from elementary until high school in China, the government of China would like to continue the legacy of NBA Chinese superstar Yao Ming. At the same time, it could echance China sport aspect, particulary in basketball. The establishment of after-school basketball program by Yao Ming was very good because he taught basketball is not just a game, however there are few value that student could gain and implement in their daily life which are teamwork, leadership, and communication.

In the year of 2015, NBA announced that NBA Global Games China 2015 featured two preseason games between the Charlotte Hornets and the Los Angeles Clippers on October. The Hornets and Clippers played the NBA‘s first game ever in Shenzhen on Sunday. Along with the games, Hornets players were participated in a variety of off-court activities, including NBA Cares community programs.166 Then in the same year the NBA will pay tribute to its largest international fanbase from February 19 to March 4 2015 with its biggest ever Chinese New Year Celebration, ushering in the Year of the Goat with millions of fans in China, the U.S. and around the world, for the first time in NBA history, teams wore a special

164 Ibid 165 NBA, Chinese Ministry of Education announce partnership to grow basketball in China. Retrieved from: http://pr.nba.com/nba-china-ministry-education-partnership/ on June, 1 2017

166 Hornets and Clippers to play first NBA game in Shenzhen, China. Retrieved from: http://www.nba.com/2015/news/03/25/global-games-china-2015-official-release/ on June, 1 2017

64 design Chinese New Year uniforms that pay tribute to the league's Chinese fans and their culture. Every team that played on that day wore their uniform with the name of their team will be written in Hanzi (Chinese alphabetical).167 By doing so, NBA players could promote the culture of American Basketball to China and at the same time respect Chinese players by using Chinese alphabetical (Hanzi) in their basketball jersey. In other words, NBA players respect Chinese culture by using Hanzi in their basketball jersey and it would create harmony between Chinese and American athletes.

CHAPTER V

CONCLUSION

Ping Pong diplomacy has brought a new breakthrough between the United States and China relations into the whole new level. It emphasizes the importance of sports diplomacy through athlete exchange and international friendship competition could bring such a beneficial in bilateral relations. Ping Pong diplomacy was the stepping stone for the U.S and China relations to establish bilateral relations in the aspect of sport particularly, in which sport aims to promote peaceful, international friendship, and bilateral relationship among the U.S and China despite of political tension they might have. The two giant States should be able to establish good relations and cooperation in order to implement international friendship through sports diplomacy. Sport is a platform in order to promote world peace and at the same time individually as they able to develop the athletes‘ skills.

167 NBA stars to celebrate Chinese New Year with fans worldwide. Retrieved from: http://www.nba.com/2015/news/01/26/nba-chinese-new-year-release/ on June, 1 2017

The successful of sports diplomacy through ping pong continues to other aspect of sport in the new era which is basketball in order to enhance mutual understanding and continue its friendship between the U.S and China. Basketball has created a common interest between the U.S and China. The United States try to promote its basketball culture into China through NBA envoys, in which the State Department‘s Sport United Office of the United States collaborate with NBA in order to implement basketball diplomacy in China.

The development of basketball is very rapid among Chinese students. Basketball has become Chinese culture, however, not as big as in the United States that has established basketball as one of curriculum in every school. Basketball is getting bigger since Chinese superstar NBA—Yao Ming—become number one first pick in NBA. As such, it is important for the United States to strengthening its relations with China through NBA.

The successful of Yao Ming has made NBA become the most popular American sport league in China. Yao has made a very big influenced toward Chinese to put an interest in basketball, by watching him play on television or even try to pick one up and playing. Yao has become the ambassador for its emerging influence in the global NBA by Chinese government. The Chinese national team has regressed without him. His arrival in the NBA did not signal an opening of the floodgates bringing in more top-level players.

The early retirement of iconic Chinese basketball player Yao Ming came as a shock to fans in both China and United States. The end of the "Ming Dynasty" in the NBA brought about a number of discussions on his contribution and impact to the two countries with his dramatic, if not groundbreaking, nine- year NBA career that has ended in 2011. His high-profile migration to the United States, under the banner of being selected the number one draft pick, quickly made him as the most recognizable Chinese face to the world. More importantly, he opened a door to bring the NBA to the world's most populous market with more than 1.3 billion people.

After the retirement of Yao Ming the cooperation between US – China is still remained by the program what so called as CPE (Consultation People to People Exchange). The Consultation People-to-People Exchange or shorted as CPE aims to strengthen and enhance the relations between the United States and China in the area of sports, culture, and education. The CPE was initiated by the Secretary State Hillary Clinton and Chinese State Councilor Liu Yandong in May 2010. In other words, CPE in the sport aspect is a collaboration between the U.S government with China in order to continue sports diplomacy through NBA which represents the U.S as sport envoys under State Department‘s Sport United Office of the United States supervision.

The establishment of CPE was not only to build mutual respect and win- win cooperation between the U.S and China but at the same time to promote world peace development and international friendship, in which the first establishment in 2010. The program of basketball sport CPE by the U.S and China include NBA athlete exchange (Yao Ming, Jeremy Lin, and so on) and collaboration between State Department‘s Sport United Office of the United States throughout NBA and Ministry of Education of China in order to establish basketball program in China. The main programs of this part of education are to enhance facilitation of fitness and to develop basketball in the level of elementary, middle, and high school and train Chinese coach until international scale of NBA.

The existence of CPE lies in amity between the U.S and China according on the mutual interests and understanding. CPE raise the awareness of people towards diversity despite of history differences, culture, ideology, and social system. The U.S and China High Level Consultation on People to People Exchange has brought a friendly cooperation that lead a closer cooperation particularly to enhance basketball diplomacy. As a result of the successful of basketball diplomacy can be seen through Chinese student athletes in the level middle and high school enrolled in basketball training program and the selected young athletes will be trained into the United States in order to continue Yao dynasty in NBA.

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Murray, S. (2007). Sport diplomacy: A Hybrid of Two Halves.

NYE, J. S. (2001). Soft Power Means To Success in World Politic.

Sanders, B. (2009). Sport as Public Diplomacy.

Thomas F Carter and John Sugden. (2012). The USA and Sporting Diplomacy: Comparing and Contrasting the Cases of Table Tennis with China and Baseball with Cuba in 1970s". International Relations 26.

Official Sites

Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affair. (2017, April 24). Retrieved from https://eca.state.gov/programs-initiatives/sports-diplomacy

Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Sport Diplomacy and NBA-China relations. (2017, January 30). Retrieved from https://eca.state.gov/programs- initiatives/sports-diplomacy

Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the United States of America, China U.S Relations. 2012. (2017, April 4). Retrieved from http://www.china- embassy.org/eng/zmgxs/ocusr/t946195.htm

Forum, T. R. (2016, November 2). The Rise of China and the Interests of the U.S. Retrieved from www.cfr.org/china/rise-china-interests-us/p13455

Gants, R.-W. H. (2017, March 19). Diplomacy in the Sports Arena(体育竞技场上的外交. Retrieved from http://uschina.usc.edu/article@usct?diplomacy_in_the_sports_arena_10957.as px

National Archives Highlights-Ping Pong Diplomacy in August, Special Program and Document Display Mark Historical Sporting Event. (2017, January 27). Retrieved from The United States Press Release Government: https://www.archives.gov/press/press-releases/2008/nr08-110.html

NBA Boost US China Relations. (2016, November 5). Retrieved from http://uscpf.org/v3/2015/02/20/nba-boosts-us-china-sports-diplomacy/

Ping Pong Diplomacy. (2017, May 17). Retrieved from http://www.china.org.cn/english/features/olympics/100660.htm

Ping pong diplomacy. (2017, May 17). Retrieved from http://www.ebeijing.gov.cn/feature_2/SportsinBeijing/t1430672.htm

Ping Pong Diplomacy. (2017, May 17). Retrieved from http://www.china.org.cn/english/features/olympics/100660.htm

President Barack Obama statement in the U.S-China consultation people to people exchange. (2017, April 12). Retrieved from https://2009- 2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2011/04/160628.htm

U.S Department of State: Diplomacy in Action, Sports in America: NBA and Basketball.2009-2017. (2017, January 30). Retrieved from https://usa.usembassy.de/sports-basketball.htm

U.S. Policy Toward People’s Republic of China. (2017, January 24). Retrieved from https://www.state.gov/p/eap/rls/rm/2011/04/160652.htm

U.S-China CPE Cooperation on Sports Fact Sheets, Office of the Spokesman, Washington DC. April 12, 2011. (2017, April 22). Retrieved from https://2009- 2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2011/04/160628.htm

Under Secretary of State Judith A. McHale. (2017, November 25). Retrieved from http://shenyang.usembassy-china.org.cn//cpe.html

US department of State. (2017, May 17). Retrieved from https://www.state.gov/r/

Journals

Haozhao, P. (2017, January 27). Yao Ming, Globalization, and the Cultural Politics of the U.S and China Relations. Retrieved from http://fsu.digital.flvc.org/islandora/object/fsu:183073/datastream/PDF/view

The Perception of the U.S.-China Economic And Security Review Commission toward China and its Influence on Sino-U.S. Relations. (2017, January 21). Retrieved from http://web.uri.edu/iaics/files/12ShengyongZhang.pdf

Thomas F Carter and John Sugden. (2012). The USA and Sporting Diplomacy: Comparing and Contrasting the Cases of Table Tennis with China and Baseball with Cuba in 1970s". International Relations 26.

Qingmin, Z. (2017, May 17). Sports Diplomacy: The Chinese Experience and Perspective . The Hague Journal of Diplomacy. 2013.

News

Impact on China by USBC. (2016, November 2). Retrieved from The 2008 Olympics: http://www.chinabusinessreview.com/the-2008-olympics-impact-on-china/

America’s Pacific Century by Hillary Clinton. (2017, January 24). Retrieved from http://foreignpolicy.com/2011/10/11/americas-pacific-century/

Gants, R.-W. H. (2017, March 19). Diplomacy in the Sports Arena(体育竞技场上的外交. Retrieved from http://uschina.usc.edu/article@usct?diplomacy_in_the_sports_arena_10957.as px

How Ping Pong Diplomacy Thawed Cold War. (2017, March 18). Retrieved from http://www.history.com/news/ping-pong-diplomacy

How Ping-Pong Diplomacy Thawed the Cold War . (2017, January 29). Retrieved from http://www.history.com/news/ping-pong-diplomacy

Murray, S. (2012). Ping Pong Diplomacy as the Gate of Sino-American Relations. Retrieved from http://www.culturaldiplomacy.org/culturaldiplomacynews/content/articles/par ticipantpapers/2011-symposium/Sports-Diplomacy-a-hybrid-of-two-halves–Dr- Stuart-Murray.pd

NBA Has Become Part of Chinese Culture. (2017, March 31). Retrieved from http://www.nba.com/article/2016/10/07/nba-and-china-growing-relationship

Ping Pong Diplomacy is introduced for the U.S-China table tennis exchange players. (2017, March 10). Retrieved from http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/ping-pong-diplomacy-60307544/?no- ist

Power: softly does it. (2017, May 17). Retrieved from http://www.economist.com/news/britain/21657655-oxbridge-one-direction- and-premier-league-bolster-britains-power-persuade-softly-does-it

Public diplomacy in 21st century. (2017, May 17). Retrieved from https://www.theglobalist.com/public-diplomacy-in-the-21st-century/

Qingmin, Z. (2017, May 17). Sports Diplomacy: The Chinese Experience and Perspective. Retrieved from https://www.deepdyve.com/lp/brill/sports-diplomacy-the- chinese-experience-and-perspective-JkjE0CSBzx

S, Z. W. (2011, January 12). Comparative Analysis of Basketball Culture between the US and China. Haerbin University of Science and Technology.

Sport Diplomacy: Development and Practice. (2016, November 28). Retrieved from http://fsprm.mk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Pages-from-RIK-_1_2015_za- email-21.pdf

Sport has The Power to Change The World. (2016, November 29). Retrieved from https://leftfootforward.org/2013/12/nelson-mandela-sporting-legacy/

The Global Impact on NBA. (2016, December 15). Retrieved from www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/41067/recreation_and_sports/the_glob al_impact_of_the_nba.html

The statement of Heidi Ueberroth as the president of NBA International. (2017, March 19). Retrieved from http://www.nba.com/article/2016/10/07/nba-and-china- growing-relationship

Think again: Soft power. (2017, May 17). Retrieved from http://foreignpolicy.com/2006/02/23/think-again-soft-power/