Yao's 'Model Worker' tag a tall order
By Zou Huilin (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-03-30 00:12

Once, China appointed its model workers -- those to inspire the masses -- on the virtues of their hard work, modesty, patriotism and unshakeable commitment to the cause.

But how times do change -- and in China, quickly.

Yao Ming, a well-known Chinese basketball player and NBA Houston Rockets center, joins the 2004 Athens Olympic torch relay in Beijing's Summer Palace in this June 9, 2004 file photo. Yao is tipped by his hometown, Shanghai, as a national model worker. [newsphoto]

Yao Ming has been nominated "Model Worker" by the residents of Shanghai.

The city's Municipal Judging Panel for Model Workers recently has issued the namelists of Model Worker Nominees to the public and then asked the panel to cast their votes.

The majority nominated Yao, citing two reasons.

He is currently the best Chinese basketball player "in the world," commanding the most fame, thus acting as "a perfect image ambassador for China in the eyes of the world," who promotes Chinese sport -- a PR wonder, the Yao vote argued.

They also cited Yao's patriotism -- even though now he is working as a player in Houston Rockets in the USA. But whenever China needs him, he answers for the China's National Basketball Team, they said.

But the tall quiet one will not be passed the title without a fuss.

His nomination has fueled a heated debate about the true meaning of a "Model Worker."

Some sociologists argue as a model worker, one should reside, sweat and toil in the country rather in some foreign land.

And the sociologists say Yao's direct contribution to Shanghai society is "not great enough to justify him as a model worker."

But the Shanghai thinking young hold the evaluation system for "model Worker" needs timely revision, as the old system is outdated and has no power to push social development forward.

Sebastian Wang, a student majoring in sociology in Shanghai University, believes that the "broad" definition for model workers should be "excellent persons in their respective fields such as in the sports world, in the artistic world or in the business world."

However, Lee Zhang, a sociologist pointed out that as the norms of "Model Worker" suggests, a model worker should be the hardest worker among his peers. "However, the success of an excellent athlete lies in many aspects such as talents, the methodology of his coach, and of course hard work," said Lee.

He added: "I doubt Yao is the hardest working basketball player, while I can say he is a very talented man, I know many more Chinese players toil harder than he does."

Zhang also believes a model worker should be "an ordinary person and not a star."

Zou Huiying, vice-general manager of Shanghai Media Group Broadband Co Ltd disagrees.

"Yao's effort is not only spent on the basketball court, but also spent as a Chinese ambassador in US society U.S.A, which set up healthy image of the Chinese in the globe. In this sense, he is a model worker," said Zou.

He refutes Yao's financial contribution to China is not as much as his contribution to the USA "

"His contribution to China is invaluable in prompting more foreigners to know of China's advancement," said Zou.