Voice of America
10 Oct 2019, 17:35 GMT+10
All media events such as news conferences have been canceled inside the arena hosting Thursday's NBA preseason game in China between the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets, though the matchup itself remains on as scheduled.
The decision to cancel media availabilities is the latest move by Chinese officials in an effort to show their displeasure with a since-deleted tweet by Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey. The tweet, expressing support for anti-government protesters in Hong Kong, set off a rift that has completely overshadowed the NBA's annual trip to China.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver defended Morey's right to freely express himself. China's latest response essentially means the league and its players will not be able to freely express themselves at Mercedes-Benz Arena, which was going to be the site of a news conference by Silver and press conferences likely featuring Lakers star LeBron James, Nets guard Kyrie Irving, Los Angeles coach Frank Vogel and Brooklyn coach Kenny Atkinson.
The relationship between the NBA and China has been beyond strained since Morey sent the tweet, which was deleted. Multiple Chinese corporations suspended their business deals with the league, several events leading up to the game were called off by Chinese officials - and government officials made clear that they are most displeased.
In the U.S., there was governmental reaction as well leading up to the game.
On Wednesday in Washington, a bipartisan group of lawmakers - including the rare alignment of Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York - sent a letter to Silver saying the NBA should show the "courage and integrity'' to stand up to the Chinese government. They asked the NBA to, among other things, suspend activities in China until what they called the selective treatment against the Rockets ends.
"You have more power to take a stand than most of the Chinese government's targets and should have the courage and integrity to use it," the lawmakers told Silver.
Get a daily dose of Middle East Star news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Middle East Star.
More InformationGENEVA, Switzerland: A new United Nations report alleges that dozens of global corporations are profiting from and helping sustain...
LONDON/STOCKHOLM: The Persson family is ramping up its investment in the H&M fashion empire, fueling renewed speculation about a potential...
LONDON, U.K.: British oil giant Shell has denied reports that it is in talks to acquire rival oil company BP. The Wall Street Journal...
SYDNEY, Australia: Australia will not ease its strict biosecurity rules during trade talks with the United States, Prime Minister Anthony...
GUANGZHOU, July 5 (Xinhua) -- Shipyards in south China's Guangzhou, one of the country's top shipbuilding bases, are operating at full...
Once celebrated for its promises of political competence and economic stability, the Labour administration is now grappling with rising...
President Donald Trump's plans to build a space-based Golden Dome missile defense shield have drawn immediate criticism from China,...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Paramount has agreed to pay US$16 million to settle a lawsuit brought by U.S. President Donald Trump over...
LONDON, U.K.: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer won a vote in Parliament this week to move ahead with changes to the country's welfare...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump will meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday. President...
GENEVA, Switzerland: A new United Nations report alleges that dozens of global corporations are profiting from and helping sustain...
LONDON, UK - Lawmakers in the United Kingdom have voted overwhelmingly to proscribe the direct-action group Palestine Action as a terrorist...