Blogger’s Note: My interest in basket-ball is “zero” – despite my daughters having to play “net-ball” at school (a slightly different – but related game). Of course, this is an Odious US game – and I would much rather watch a sedate game of cricket (there was nothing “sedate” about the West Indies at their peak). However, over the years I have been contacted here and there by “modern” Mainland Chinese people (usually male academics) who for some reason find basket-ball enthralling. They know the names of all the US players (?) and think that every other European country must share in this obsession. When confronted with this banality – my eyes simply glaze-over. But – we are where we are. I believe that during WWII – the anti-Japanese racism employed by the US government (as part of the war-effort) – involved a “pop song” entitled “We’re Gonna Have to Sl’p the D’rty Little J’p” song by Carson Robison. Ironically, the lyrics are just as racist toward Chinese people – as they are toward Japanese people (but disguised as being only aimed at the Japanese). Oddly, this was at a time when there was a concerted effort in the US (amongst its liberal elite) to extoll the Japanese people and their system over that of the Chinese people (whilst the Japanese were antagonistic toward the US – and the Nationalist Chinese supportive). US (White) racism is perennial, continuous, and long-lasting (as well as illogical). Many feel that the ideologues of the PRC do not give enough weight to this fact – whilst eulogising the US economic system (as in the wealth it generates). Whatever the case, I checked the FIBA website as part of my routine checking of facts – and the below story was “buried” deep in its labyrinthine website! Furthermore, despite the alteration of the headline reported here – it seems that it has subsequently been changed yet again to “China bounce back to deny Japan early advance with huge comeback win” Finally, just as China is quite rightly outraged at anti-China racism – I am angst-ridden that my English language is replaced with its American variant. Wherever I see this occurring – I correct the spelling and grammar. ACW (2.3.2026)
2026-02-28 Ecns.cn Editor：Mo Honge
(ECNS) –– FIBA issued an apology to “the Chinese national team, its fans, and the entire Chinese basketball community” on its official WeChat account Friday, stating that Team China’s victory was earned through talent, effort, and determination. Its previous post has been removed or edited from all platforms.
During a FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifiers game on Thursday (played in Okinawa), the China men’s basketball team staged a strong second-half comeback after trailing by 15 points, defeating Team Japan 87–80. Despite several controversial calls by referees late in the game, China held its composure and secured the victory.
However, after the game, FIBA’s official social media account referred to the outcome as “China with a sneaky win over Japan.” The use of the word sneaky, which can carry negative connotations such as underhanded or dishonourable, sparked backlash among fans, with many questioning the fairness implied by the wording.
Following criticism from netizens around the world, FIBA revised the post as: “China turn things around in the second half, and get the W against Japan.”
(By Gong Weiwei)
SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 