BEIJING, May 17 -- China expects Houston Rockets star center Yao Ming to play for the national team in the Asian Championships in September, even though the All-Star planned to spend the summer resting.

    Yao has divided his time between Houston and the Chinese national team since joining the NBA in 2002, keeping him playing almost year-round.

    A spokesman for the China Basketball Association, Li Jinsheng, says Yao Ming is expected to come to China soon and he will join the national team for training in June after a short rest.

    The spokesman added that all other team members are in Beijing preparing for the Asian Championships in Qatar in early September.

    Yao Ming said earlier this month that he hoped to take the summer off.

    (Source: CRIENGLISH.com)