LeBron James has become the first NBA player to author a piece in China's state-run People's Daily newspaper, an unusual move suggesting the top-flight North American basketball league's years-long row with Beijing could be coming to an end.

On Friday, James ended his 2025 China tour taking in Shanghai and Chengdu, and hailed the energy of China’s young players.

LeBron James, wrapping up his Forever King Tour in China, wrote an essay in the Communist Party's People's Daily, expressing appreciation of the people.