BEIJING, March 7 (Xinhua) -- Standing at 2.26 meters, former NBA star Yao Ming is eye-catching everywhere he goes.
"Shadage" in mandarin meaning "all brawn and no brains" is sometimes used by Chinese to describe big guys with little thoughts but it is not the case when it comes to Yao.
The former Houston Rocket center has been known for his sense of humor and witty remarks. Now the CBA franchise Shanghai Sharks owner is becoming a serious participant in China's public matters.
Here in Beijing, Yao is the "Representative Yao" instead of "boss Yao".
At China's political advisory meeting this year, Yao urged students to be good at one sport at least and to extend PE class hours nation-wide.
His proposal might end up influencing millions of students in the most populous country just like he did in last year.
Yao suggested the government scrap unreasonable administrative approval procedures to benefit competition organizers in last year's Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) symposium.
The suggestion was later accepted and turned into government measures unveiled last October as China determined to turn the sports industry into a five trillion yuan (813.87 billion U.S. dollars) sector by 2025.
"Yao Ming helped sport representatives get rid of passers-by image in China's two crucial political meetings," read a commutary by sports.ifeng.com.
The sessions of CPPCC and National People's Congress (NPC) are held annually, which are the most important agenda in China's political calendar each year.
"Delegates from sports were often viewed more as a token than serious participants," said the comment. "But Yao is making headway in breaking the stereotype."