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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009
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Kobe's Next Title: '1-Man State Department' to China

Lakers star makes inroads with new Chinese foundation

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(Newser) – Yao Ming may be an NBA star, but the most popular basketball player in China is Kobe Bryant—he's plastered on billboards and even once had his own reality show on Chinese TV. The Lakers guard has made a deliberate push in the world's largest nation, and he's now establishing the Kobe Bryant China Fund to benefit education and health. "I think he can be a one-man State Department," a financier working with Bryant told the Wall Street Journal.

Sports have long played a role in China's diplomacy, from ping-pong to the Olympics, and Bryant has used his prowess on the court to strengthen ties between the two nations. In addition to his China fund, his US-based foundation is teaching Chinese language and culture to middle-school students. "I want to help these kids see the possibilities of China," Bryant says. "The world is much, much bigger than what they see around them."

Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers listens to a question from fans in Shanghai, China, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2007.
Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers listens to a question from fans in Shanghai, China, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2007.   (AP Photo)
Kobe Bryant speaks to reporters following the Lakers' winning the NBA basketball championship, at team headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., Friday, June 19, 2009.
Kobe Bryant speaks to reporters following the Lakers' winning the NBA basketball championship, at team headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., Friday, June 19, 2009.   (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
USA's Kobe Bryant, left, and China's Yao Ming battle for a rebound during the first quarter of their men's preliminary basketball game at the Beijing 2008 Olympics.
USA's Kobe Bryant, left, and China's Yao Ming battle for a rebound during the first quarter of their men's preliminary basketball game at the Beijing 2008 Olympics.   (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
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4 comments
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AllisonMW
Jun 30, 09 9:38 AM CDT
Good idea Kobe! Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
plstyle
Jun 30, 09 5:10 PM CDT
Good Idea rapist! Reply
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-2
IN RESPONSE:
BOMBS_OVER_BAGHDAD
Jun 30, 09 6:23 PM CDT
That's the best you can come up with? The guy is making the world a better place, and you say that?
Vote up! Vote down!
0
Reader71485694
Jul 3, 09 4:15 PM CDT
Memphis coach Calipari developed a relationship with Chinese basketball. Moved to kentucky.. U of Memphis should keep the relationship with China, not let Cal take that away too! Reply
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