China expects Houston Rockets star Yao Ming to play for the national team in the Asian Championships in September, even though the All-Star planned to spend the summer resting.

Yao has divided his time between Houston and the Chinese national team since joining the NBA in 2002, keeping him playing almost year-round.

"As a member of the China national team, Yao Ming must come back to play for China, according to the contract," said Li Jinsheng, a spokesman for the China Basketball Association.

All other team members are in Beijing preparing for the Asian Championships in Qatar on Sept. 8-16, Li said.

"Yao Ming is expected to come to China soon and he will join the team for training in June after a short period of rest," Li said.

Yao said earlier this month that he hoped to take the summer off.

"I just want to relax," he said. "I don't want to do anything. I'm not too used to being relaxed."

(China Daily via Agencies May 17, 2005)