He is one of the country's biggest stars and is credited with boosting China's interest in the NBA. During his nine seasons with the Houston Rockets, his games were broadcast on national television in China, and he was selected to carry China's flag during the opening ceremonies at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

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The tainted meat received considerable coverage in China after the findings were broadcast by China Central Television, the nation's powerful state-run broadcaster.

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Mr. Shi, assuring the Internet company that his program would not stray too far from its down-home spirit, turned down an opportunity to have his show broadcast on TV by a local satellite channel in southwest China.

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And, Ben, do you know anything about how the audience in Shanghai, of youth will be chosen, or anything about how you expect that to be broadcast around China, whether other people will get to see that town hall?

WHITEHOUSE: THE WHITE HOUSE