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Netease
Yao Ming attends a Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference meeting on January 13th, 2012.
BEIJING – That’s Comrade Yao to you.
Nearly six months after Yao Ming formally retired from basketball, the 7-foot-6, eight-time NBA All-Star has been anything but idle. In that time, Yao has started college, spearheaded a campaign to end shark-finning, and even started his own vineyard.
But last week he added a new title: Standing committee member of Shanghai’s Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).
At 31, Yao is the youngest member of the 142 member committee charged with advising the Communist Party on issues that affect the public interest.
Zhang Chi, a spokesman for Yao Ming told the China Daily that despite taking the position, Yao had no political aspirations beyond pushing policies related to sports and charity, saying, “Yao wants to use his influence to do good deeds for society, but not to seek a political position.”
Netease
Judging by what he saw on the first few days on the job, who can blame him?
On Sunday, Yao took his seat on the committee to much fanfare. Unfortunately for the other members there, the assembled media stuck around long enough to catch – and publish – what many of these consultative meetings often look like: a snooze-fest.
With arms-folded and intent gaze, Yao is seen in one picture listening attentively while his fellow committee members doze off.
The picture was picked up on by China’s microblogging sphere and soon went viral. Some netizens pointedly suggested that the photos may have come during a break in the committee hearings, but most people responded with amusement to the scene they’ve come to expect from such events.
“Poor Yao, he probably regrets being that tall and not being able to sleep!” wrote one commentator on China’s twitter-like service, Weibo.
“Yao Ming is still new to meetings like this,” wrote another before continuing, “He’ll be just like the rest of them soon enough.”
Leave a Comment:
Yao, come back!
He's pretty big in China politics. ;)
Must have been quite a time the night before. At least 5 of those in the picture are cutting z's - and Yao doesn't look far behind.
Yao Ming will not be able to carve much of a political career for himself in the CPPCC, this group is a holdover group from former Kuomintang days and has no power. It is theoretically a consultative body, but real power since 1949 has lied in the hands of the Chinese Communist Party...no wonder these guys are asleep. Annointing Chinese to groups like this is the Chinese Communist Party's way of bestowing recognition and singling out the loyalties of servants of the Communist Party who are not, themselves, members of the party. it is an award, not an elective post.
Heh-heh. Eye "opener"? That's a tough job!
Bad anti-PC joke of the day. Thank you, thank you, I'll be here all week. And remember to tip your waitresses!
Waste of time. When will the Chinese TRULY modernize to the 21st century already.
I think this is the way for politics in the 21st century! No pretend of Democracy, the rich and powerful run things - just like averywhere, but no stupid ads on TV full of lies!
Zzzzzzzzzzzzz
Good observation, torngenes! And the article states that those people are charged with "advising the Communist Party on issues that affect the public interest". What a joke!
I would not be surprised if those attendants of the "Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference" would later issue a closing statement providing "unanimous support" to their Communist Party's policy.
Those chinese sure can play basketball!
I think he will be good in politics if he can help the Chinese people become more free.
Gawd i just hope the building doesnt catch on fire....they will all burn up. lol
Hopefully he has no real political agenda other than being a "poster boy" for the Party. The folks around him (zzzzz) are the kind the Party string-pullers want. All they have to do is stay awake during voting and roll call and they make their big bucks and get needed rest.
In fact, I think I detected a bit of a glaze in Yao's eyes.....learning to play a whole new ballgame...
China needs someone high-profile like Yao in government. He can make noises about injustice and corruption and not suffer the repercussions others would. I hope he can do some good.
RUMOR HAS IT ....
Yao's 32 year old Gay Brother is very skinny. He contributs this to a steady diet of CREAM OF SUM YUNG GUY SOUP.
Yao with two hands, is perfectly capable to fulfill his responsibility in the CPPCC. He is supposed to clap to signify his approval of all is said. As member of People's Congress, you need only one hand, to raise in agreement to everything that was said.
By the way, sleeping on the job is just normal. No one should be surprised or comment on such daily event.
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Meetings from Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) are pratical useless and shows for party members from Communist Party to show support for democracy of China and local party officials. Less than 5% are seriously paying attentions. Yao Ming will soon find out and stop wasting his time.
Yao says that he's not interested in politics, only wants to do good things for his fellow citizens - well, having lived in the "west" for so long, enjoying all the perks and privilages - I can't help but wonder and hope that he will move his country towards a more open and free country. Maybe WuKan's example will have an efffect. I'm going to trust that Yao is a smart man and he's going slow, baby steps so that he can actually do good things for his fellow citizens. And I wonder what he will call his wine? Gotta stay on top of that one!
Zzzzzzz.. Politicans are always the same any where you go. Chinese government should rename to "Snoring committee member of Shanghai’s Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (SPPCC).