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Beijing. China’s star center Yao Ming can do no wrong on the basketball court in the eyes of Chinese fans, but some diehards are crying foul over the possibility his first-born child could have an American passport.

Yao and his wife have traveled back to the United States, where he plays for the NBA’s Houston Rockets, ahead of the birth of their first child, which is reportedly due sometime between May and July.

If the child is born in the United States, he or she will automatically be considered an American citizen — a prospect some nervous fans say could potentially deprive China of a future basketball superstar.

“This will not only be a huge loss to Chinese basketball but, as far as feelings are concerned, will be something very difficult for Chinese fans to accept,” the Chongqing Business Daily said, citing angry online comments.

On popular Web portal sina.com, though, some users expressed support over the possibility of an American Yao.

“To not become an American is stupid … China is a paradise for officials, but hell for ordinary people,” a poster named Limin said.

Another user from Shanghai named Kekeweiqi said: “We have no right to interfere in the future of baby Yao. When baby Yao grows up, he/she will have the right to choose his/her own nationality and occupation.”

Yao and his wife had been in China for several months while the center recovered from a broken foot that forced him out for the entire NBA season.

Yao’s agent, Zhang Mingji, said the place of birth of the child was a “family matter” and was not an issue up for debate, the Chongqing paper said.



Agence France-Presse