Now sports in China has became more international and fitness has gained is very popular.

The situation began changing in 1994 when soccer became the first sport in China to go professional.

The commercialization of sports in China brought a club system into being. The professional leagues began improving China's sports environment. Chinese athletes also joined foreign professional leagues. Athletes received more development and sport in China became more open to the world.

The China Basketball Association has produced two players who are now with the NBA in the US — Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets and Yi Jianlian of the Milwaukee Bucks.

Yao Ming has made basketball very popular in China. In America, he represents China's sports image. He is not only a Chinese basketball legend, but also a favorite of the US media.