Lief Johansson, the Chairman of Ericsson, looks like a big guy. Just compare his height when he was standing next to Yao Ming.

[quote="pryuen"][size=117]
[color=darkred]People/fans in China had been wondering/speculating why Yao Ming had to apply for leave of absence from his Shanghai Jiaotong University studies and went back to Houston. [/color]

[color=red][b]I think I have found out the REASON WHY.

It was for both PRIVATE and DIPLOMATIC reason.[/b][/color]

[color=darkred]We all remembered that back in December 2011, Yao Ming was appointed Vice Chairman and Honorary Ambassador of the newly established Shanghai Public Diplomacy Association, a pseudo-governmental unit under the [b]Shanghai Committee of Chinese People

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[color=darkred]So the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference had come to a successful closure on April 4.[/color]

[color=red]But Yao Ming stayed behind, and was in Sanya yesterday.

He was seen at the Grand Opening of Hainan Rendez-vous (HRV), [/color] [color=darkred][b]China

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[color=darkred]Yao Ming was not there at the 2012 Hainan Rendezvous to shop around for his car, or his yacht or his business jet, or for watching beautiful and sexy car models and bikini girls.[/color]

[color=red]He was there for a mission. He was there as a travelling salesman to promote his Yao Family Wines.[/color]

[color=darkred]Pernod Ricard (China), Yao Family Wines sole and exclusive importer and distributor, was one of the many sponsors of 2012 Hainan Rendezvous.

So Big Yao just made full use of this opportunity to be there to tour the exhibition, do some networking/socializing activities with the many millionaires/billionaires at the exhibition, as well as promoting his wine.

He was seen here last night in a gala dinner where Yao Family Wine was on the wine list and served during dinner.

And this afternoon (April 6), there will be a specific luncheon thrown for selective celebrities/multi-millionaires for trying/tasting Yao's Cabernet Sauvignon 2009.

I'll see if any news coverage/photos from that luncheon available in the news/Internet later.[/color][/size]

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[quote="pryuen"][size=109]

[color=darkred]And this afternoon (April 6), there will be a specific luncheon thrown for selective celebrities/multi-millionaires for trying/tasting Yao's Cabernet Sauvignon 2009.

I'll see if any news coverage/photos from that luncheon available in the news/Internet later.[/color][/size]

[quote="pryuen"] [size=109][color=red]He had another event that he MUST show up tonight in Dongguan.

[/color][/size]

[quote="pryuen"][quote="pryuen"] [size=109][color=red]He had another event that he MUST show up tonight in Dongguan.

[/color][/size]

[size=117][color=red]It is the Olympic Year.

Also the 2012 Formula One Chinese Grand Prix will be held in Shanghai from April 13 ~ 15.[/color]

[color=darkred]Jeremy Hunt, the UK Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media, and Sport, in Britain's worldwide launching roadshow of its GREAT campaign to promote the 2012 London Olympics was with his delegation in Shanghai.

Last night (Wednesday, April 11), the British Consulate-General Shanghai organized a charity gala dinner on a cruise boat Oriental Pearl touring the Huangpu River, launching the GREAT campaign.

http://ukinnl.fco.gov.uk/en/news/?view= ... =752000582

The cruise was attended by local celebrities and 150 business and political guests, including Zhao Wen, Deputy Mayor of Shanghai (in charge of sports), Sebastian Wood, UK Ambassador to People's Republic of China , and Lewis Hamilton of McLaren race team, the 2008 F1 World Champion.

Yao Ming and Ye Li also attended the charity gala dinner, probably in his capacity as the Deputy Chairman of the Shanghai Public Diplomacy Association, or simply, the icon of Chinese sports. [/color]

[color=red]Here are photos of Yao Ming arriving at the gala dinner, greeting and casually chatting with Lewis Hamilton.[/color][/size]


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damn, pryuen..the pet name u gave yao sure does fit him. BIG YAO! Dude let himself go, fat and out of shape smh. With all that free time being retired, he could sure go on the treadmill more often..early 30's and early signs of obesity, not a good role model for young kids.

This post was brought to u by mcdonald's chicken nuggets.

Yao is heavier than when he was a NBAers, as do 95% of the retired ballers.

Michael Jordan,
Jerry West,
Charles Barkley,
Magic Johnson,
Shaq O'Neil
Karl Malone
Jerry Sloan
Patrick Ewing
John Stark
Hakeem Olajuwan
Avidas Sabonis
Jamal Wilkes
James Worthy

the only retired baller who hasn't gained weight is the string bean Reggie Miller

anyway, the heavier Yao is [size=117]not[/size] fat; this porker, Han Dejun of China's national team, is fat

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