Yao Ming and NBA China announced on Friday a broad and comprehensive partnership to further basketball participation, develop youth basketball, promote cultural exchange and conduct social responsibility programs in China.

Yao will collaborate with the league to launch basketball and social development programs for Chinese youth through NBA Cares and the Yao Foundation for communities in need.

This announcement follows the launch this April of the inaugural Yao Foundation Hope Primary School Basketball Season. Currently taking place in 47 Hope schools across Sichuan, the initiative demonstrates a shared commitment to youth development and giving back to society through basketball. The program provides underprivileged children the opportunity to experience basketball.