The popularity the first Asian NBA player gained is likely to stay on for quite some time, and is very much to his benefit if he decides to dive into charity work after retirement.

Yao was a regular member of the Huston Rockets annual charity party, and was named the first goodwill ambassador of the United Nations Environment Program in 2008.

What’s more, he founded The Yao Foundation after a major earthquake hit Southwest China’s Sichuan province in 2008, and has helped reconstruct primary schools damaged by the earthquake and renovate primary schools in remote areas.

The most recent public welfare event that Yao took part in was the launch of a healthcare program in Tibet started by Chinese singer Han Hong, on July 13.

When Yao retires, he will have more time to run his foundation, and promote charity work using his agreeable image.