years later, that medal was stripped and given to america. 2002, yao ming was drafted by the houston rockcksmediately becoming the league's tallest player. a 7'6" metaphor for a nation on the rise. and while chairman mao may have used a military parade to flex that country's might, it was the stunning opening ceremonies of the 2008 beijing olympics that showed the world their capability. and breaking america's three-game string of most gold medals, that didn't hurt, either. so today these two monster nations are joined at the economic hip. they need us to buy their stuff. we need them to float ou