Beijing makes basketball a court for net gains and interaction

Soccer may have a new rival, so to speak. A growing game that connects people of all cultures, denominations, ethnicities and social classes, basketball continues to remind me why so many people back home in the United States play it as their hobby of choice. It has long been catching on internationally, including here in China, as well.

An example of basketball's influence can be found in Beijing on Friday nights at the University of International Business and Economics, located next door to our offices at China Daily.

Most people where I'm from use Friday evenings to either relax or head out on the town, depending on their age and how tired they are from their workweek. I'm aware that's also true for many people in Beijing and other major cities around the world.