BEIJING, Mar. 30 -- Once, China appointed its model workers those to inspire the masses on account of their virtues such as hard work, modesty, patriotism and unshakeable commitment to the cause.

    But how times do change and in China, quickly.

    Now, being an exceptionally tall, talented slam-dunking millionaire living the celebrity good life in the United States may qualify for this once revered accolade, though many have misgivings.

    Yao Ming has been nominated a "model worker" by the residents of Shanghai. The city's Municipal Judging Panel for Model Workers recently issued the namelists of nominees to the public and then asked the panel to cast their votes.

    The majority also 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 he is working for the Houston Rockets in the USA. But whenever China needs him, he answers the call from the National Basketball Team.

    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 many of the Shanghai thinking young argue the evaluation system for model workers needs timely revision, as the old system is outdated and has no power to push social development forward.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 the "broad" definition should be "excellent persons in their respective fields such as in the sports world, in the artistic or business world."

    However, Lee Zhang, a sociologist pointed out that as the norm suggests, a nominee should be the hardest worker among his or her peers.

    "I know many more Chinese players toil harder than he does," he said.

    He 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 the US society, and he sets a healthy image of the Chinese around the world. In this sense, he is a model worker," said Zou.

    (Source: China Daily)