Stephon Marbury embraces China
Stephon Marbury: The NBA player who embraced China
By Heather Chen
BBC News
'Welcome to Beijing' - Chinese netizens have expressed their enthusiasm for new citizen Stephon Marbury
It’s almost official: American basketball legend Stephon Marbury looks set to get a Chinese green card on Christmas Day.
Already one of China’s most popular athletes, the former NBA superstar from New York, is believed to be the first foreign celebrity to receive permanent residency.
He broke the news earlier this month in a post on his official Weibo microblog page.
“Being the first foreign basketball player to receive a green card means a lot in making history in China,” he wrote. “I’m so blessed and thankful to receive my Chinese green card. I feel like my love for China is being shown in the same way.”
A difficult permit to get
China’s green card policy was introduced in 2004 and is a notoriously difficult permit to obtain because of the stringent requirements for residency.
Earlier this year however, Chinese media reported the government had eased rules and procedures, in a move to attract foreign investment. Applicants are required to hold professional titles and have made “outstanding contributions” to China.
They must have worked in the country for more than four years and have sound tax records. Officials say that only 5,000 foreigners were granted permanent residency between 2004 and 2013. There are an estimated 600,000 foreigners in the country.
Stephon Marbury became one of these in 2010, when he wrapped up his career in the NBA and joined the world of Chinese basketball.
Mr Marbury left the NBA in 2010 and headed to China, to start a new sporting career
‘Welcome to Beijing’
Chinese fans on Weibo welcomed him to the club.
“China welcomes all forms of talent to our shores,” said Weibo user Fan Hui Han. “We love the sport that you champion and it is truly an honour to call you one of our own.”
“You have brought unprecedented glory to all of us in Beijing! This is the best way we can repay you,” commented a user in the capital.
Another said: “Welcome to Beijing! Few foreigners have embraced our country and culture like you have. China loves and supports you.”
Stephon Marbury celebrates with his team, the Beijing Ducks, as they win their first-ever Chinese championship
From NBA to CBA
Mr Marbury was an NBA All-Star player in 2001 and 2003. He has played with several basketball teams including the New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns and the New Jersey Nets.
Since he arrived in China, he has led the Beijing Ducks to national victory, winning three Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) championships.
Mr Marbury has led his team, the Beijing Ducks, to Chinese victory
This year, China immortalised Mr Marbury with an arena statue, and he got his own postage stamp in April.
Earlier this week, a museum dedicated to the star opened in Beijing, displays photos of his US career and now his life in China.
“Today was one of the best days of my life in opening my own museum,” he wrote on his Weibo page. “I couldn’t have dreamed this dream for myself although God has created another miracle in this life for me.”
He also added: “Without my teammates, coaches and fans from Beijing, this wouldn’t be possible.”
Basketball is a national obsession among many fans in China, where it has often been referred to as the country’s “true” national sport.
US basketball stars like Kobe Bryant, Dennis Rodman and American-Chinese player Jeremy Lin all have official accounts on Weibo – China’s popular and regulated microblogging platform.
Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-35173689
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American basketball legend Stephon Marbury has played 13 years in the NBA . Been professional basketball the former NBA superstar , looked to the world of Chinese basketball. Having migrated there he brought the Chinese team to national victory, winning three Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) championships. Marbury applied for and received a Chinese “green card”, as he been popular inspiring players ,bringing the whole team a positive and fighting spirit to victory. He is the fifth American basketball player to receive a green card in China. After all not easy to apply one as a foreigner . He also earned the nickname Commissar Ma for his role as a mentor to the teammates and younger players while playing in China. Wow…China immortalised Marbury with an arena statue, and got him a postage stamp of him. That’s wonderful, as they appreciate of what he has done for China.
Thank you for this sharing.
Stephon Marbury is an American former basketball player who played for NBA All Star in 2001 and 2003. The Two-time NBA All-Star embraced China after accepting China offer and turned his career and life around. Even though thousands of miles away from his former life in America , leaving everything behind. Through a series of remarkable games and scripted events he became one of the most beloved people in China. Stephon Marbury went from NBA outcast to Chinese legend and left behind a complicated legacy in the NBA. He is the first foreign celebrity to receive permanent residency in China.
He never give up even though he did failed in his career with NBA and embracing China was the right choice.
Thank you Rinpoche for this wonderful sharing.
Positivity, confidence, and persistence are key in our life, so never give up in whatever we do…..
The former N.B.A. player Stephon Marbury has become a beloved celebrity since playing for professional basketball in China. Marbury was able to change China’s basketball culture.From NBA to CBA …he lead the team to national victory, winning three Chinese Basketball Association.
A 300-square foot museum dedicated to Stephon Marbury’s career was opened in China, where the former NBA star has flourished since deciding to play there.He was given a Green card for his outstanding contributions.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this inspiring…Never give up even though he failed with the NBA but he found success after playing for CBA.
This man shows us that it is possible to live among other cultures respectfully and peacefully. He is a reminder that we should respect each other no matter the race or place. We are all one species and we can be happy living together anywhere. His fame also heavily promotes his message that you can be happy anywhere, respectfully to the other people that live there while doing your own thing. Living happily among each other.
I am happy for him that he got his green card and I am happy for him that he can find success in other countries. That again shows that you can go anywhere and be fine with the people, success is a different discussion though. But I am happy for him anyways. He is the kind of person to contribute to ending the idea of racism.
According to some of online reports and research, China might has already took over USA and became the world largest economy.
(http://www.businessinsider.my/china-overtakes-us-as-worlds-largest-economy-2014-10/?r=US&IR=T#MJE9ktCcPoLlXiE7.97)
As one of the fast growing country, China has reform its economy drastically, open the doors for foreign investment since the 70’s, it has shown vast success. Another smart decision to welcome and absorb foreign skills and expertise into the country, this will further enhance China’s diverse culture, skills, technologies and always maintain themselves as one of the Super Strong Economy Country Globally.
Talented people like Stephon Marbury has bravely embrace China, seeing the great potential in this country which rich in culture and resources. China also has taken leaps in accepting religious growth, and maintaining open minded on this aspect.
For religious people, this is a very good news, signifying China is moving into developing themselves into an open minded advanced country, which embracing all religion, ethnic, culture and skills.
What Stephon Marbury did by embracing China and it’s culture was not something I expected a successful American basketball player to do and in a good way.
American culture and Chinese culture have some differences that either side might not with each other and for Stephon to embrace China and it’s culture it is wonderful and it is also a good example to the world that people from all parts around the world can live in peace and harmony if they try.
China has come a long way since the Cultural Revolution that had tainted her image in the international arena. Given China’s rapid growth in her economy strength, it is expected to have all eyes on China’s moral, social and political movements. Therefore, awarding a China citizenship green card to Stephon Marbury is a demonstration of the Chinese determination to be a progressive nation. Well done, China.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this article.
Humbly, bowing down,
Stella Cheang
Apart from investment in China, being in a senior position in government organizations, reuniting with family members, and individuals who’ve “made great contributions” to China can qualify for green card application.
China has been stepping up its effort to attract talented foreign individuals to work and reside in the country. A new ‘R’ (standing for ‘rencai’ 人才, or human talent) residence permit valid for 5 years is now available for foreign employees identified as professionals with special skills by the human resources department. China has also made it easier to apply for visas and residence permits, for example the Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau has significantly relaxed requirements for foreign workers to apply for permanent residency. Foreigners also no longer having to leave the country to upgrade their visa status.
Recently, President Xi Jinping held three meetings with foreign experts and emphasized that China should be a country that learns from others and uses talent without prejudice against their origins or backgrounds. In recent years, the Chinese government has given a lot of value to foreign experts’ suggestions as a means of policy consultation. This is a sign of a progressive government.
As a fan of many sports, including basketball, i am happy to finally hear this good news. When Stephon Marbory first left the NBA for the CBA i didn’t know what he was thinking. Most player who do this do not end up with successful careers. But this was obviously not the case for Stephon.
China is a very hard place to built up fame and success. The reason why i say this is because there is so much competition due to the fact that China has a very large population. So for Stephen to really stand out and shine amongst all of China’s basketball players is very impressive. I rejoice in his efforts and in his success.
This shows us a very important lesson. It tells us that even against all odds, success can be achieved. This story is a good example. Thank you for sharing this with us.
As China becomes more developed, there will be more people who’d want to immigrate to the country just like any other developing or developed countries. Many friends of mine are working in China as prospects there are much better.
China is dedicated to succeeding. 20 years ago, hardly any mainland Chinese speak English. But if you go to China now, many of the Chinese speak English in the corporate industries and some other foreign language. One of my friends who visits and studies Chinese companies in China so that she can write an assessment for the banks used to tell me how incredibly fast and aggressive the Chinese are. They are opened to learning and implementing overnight what is lacking. She said that no other countries in the world could improve at the speed that the Chinese do. She told me it would be just a matter of time that the Chinese companies will overtake other prominent conglomerates in the world. Looking at what’s happening now with what she told me 15 years ago, her assessment is correct.
There will be more people moving to China and in the near future, Chinese culture, language and ideology will dominate the world. It’s a natural process.
I wish Mr Marbury all the best! I hope he will have a wonderful career and a happy life in China.