The Chinese Basketball Association has expressed the hope that China's number one star Yao Ming could return home as soon as possible.

Li Yuanwei, a senior official with the Association, said Monday, that traditional Chinese medicine will help the star center recover in a shorter period of time.

But he also pointed out that it's all up to Yao Ming to make the final decision. He stressed that the CBA would not force Yao Ming to return for the upcoming World Championships.

"We won't do that at the cost of Yao Ming's career future" added the official.

Yao, the NBA Houston Rockets center, was injured a week ago during an NBA game. Doctors have taken the broken bone out and said it would take him four to six months to fully recover.

The news has cast a shadow over Yao Ming as well as China's prospect at the World Championships in August in Japan.

China is grouped with powerhouses such as the United States, Italy and Slovenia.

(CRI English?April 18, 2006)