Chinese former NBA player YI JIANLIAN has issued an online call for a freeze on the vandalism amid protests over Japan's "purchase" of China's Diaoyu Islands (CHINA DAILY, 9/17). ... NBA Boston Celtics KEVIN GARNETT made his third visit to China. The tour covered the cities of Harbin, Zhengzhou, Chengdu and Shenzhen, where he participated in in-store marketing events and media interviews. He also taught basketball skills to fans and worked with ANTA Sports to promote and develop the sport (ANTA Sports). ... Chinese national badminton team Head Coach LI YONGBO "claims he gave no orders to throw the group women's double match" at the London Games. Li, commenting on the incident for the first time since its occurrence, said that "the rules are to blame, and he was shocked with the penalties" (CHINA DAILY, 9/17). ... Brand Licensing Europe announced that its second keynote speaker at this year's show will be FIFA Head of Strategy and Brand Management RALPH STRAUSS. Strauss will discuss how football's governing body is managing its global licensing program in the run-up to the 2014 FIFA World Cup (LICENSE Magazine, 9/17).
