September 19, David Stern, Commissioner of the National Basketball Association (NBA), announced to the public today that Chen Yongzheng, Chief Executive of Microsoft Corp's Greater China business, had resigned to head a Chinese subsidiary that the NBA was setting up.

The assignment will come into effect as of October 15. This move highlights the growing importance of China's role in sports and with the NBA.

Chen Yongzheng has been the Vice President of Microsoft Corp. and Chief Executive Officer for Microsoft Great China since August 2003. Under his leadership, Microsoft experienced a significant sales increase in the Greater China Zone.

"NBA is a world famous brand. It has a huge number of fans in China. I feel enthusiastic about working with my colleges to tap the huge potential of the NBA inside the vast Chinese market," Chen said.

(China.org.cn by Chen Xia, September 19, 2007)