HONG KONG (AP) — At a time of tensions and tariffs, LeBron James is harnessing basketball diplomacy as a way of finding some common ground for people in the U.S. and China.

The NBA legend wrote a rare op-ed in Chinese state media, following his first visit to China since 2019, saying: “Basketball is not only a sport, but also a bridge that connects us."

The op-ed appeared in Monday's edition of the People's Daily newspaper and got the attention of the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post, which reported: “It is rare for the mouthpiece of China’s ruling Communist Party to run articles carrying the byline of foreign sports stars. It is more common for international sporting heroes to connect with fans in China via Chinese social media.”

James was in China ahead of two NBA pre-season

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