Hoop star number one

A lists of Chinese celebrity rankings, with NBA star Yao Ming coming first 

Actress Gong Li

Forbes released its lists of Chinese celebrity rankings, with NBA star Yao Ming coming first both on the income and social influence rankings. Famous athlete Liu Xiang, the 110-meter hurdling world record holder, and blockbuster director Zhang Yimou were second and third on the list of social influence, while their incomes were fourth and sixth respectively.

It is noticeable that in the top 10 in social influence, other than those named above, all the others were women from showbiz. Gong Li, with an income of 46 million yuan (C$6.7 million), is fifth both in terms of income and social influence. Her rise in social influence is due to her growing spotlight in Hollywood after starring in Miami Vice and Hannibal Rising in 2007.

Movie star Zhang Ziyi is fourth in social influence but her income dropped to 18th.