The (AP) reports: The Shanghai Sharks have told the Houston Rockets they will recommend the China Basketball Association grant its approval for the nation's star player, Yao Ming, to participate in the NBA draft this month.

Rockets general counsel Michael Goldberg told the newspaper from Shanghai that Sharks general manager Li Yaomin and owner Bai Li pledged their recommendation following two days of social meetings and negotiations.

Goldberg, general manager Carroll Dawson, coach Rudy Tomjanovich and director of media relations Nelson Luis are in China to meet with Chinese representatives who will decide whether the 7-foot-5 center is allowed to play in the United States.

The group was to meet Wednesday in Beijing with representatives of the China Basketball Association, the newspaper reported.

Yao needs a letter of clearance from the FIBA, the international basketball governing body. Approval from the China Basketball Association is considered the remaining hurdle for Yao to receive FIBA clearance.