Basketball legend Michael Jordan has arrived in Beijing last night, which is the first leg of his four-city tour of Asia.

A five-time winner of the NBA's most valuable player award, Jordan will attend four public activities in the capital Tuesday and Thursday.

Among his stops will be an appearance at the donating ceremony for the rebuilding of the Beijing Dongdan Sports Centre tomorrow morning.

On Thursday he will attend a media conference in the morning and visit the "Jordan's sports career"fan exhibition in the afternoon. He will also go to Workers' Gymnasium to present an award to the champion of the second Nike China High School Men's Basketball League.

In addition to promoting his clothing line, Jordan will use the tour to speak to youth about his dedication to excellence and the importance of hard work on and off the court.

"If you aspire to excellence in everything you do, the sky is the limit," said Jordan. "Basketball has taught me valuable life skills that have carried over to endeavors on and off the court."

The 41-year-old Jordan played in 1,072 NBA games for the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards and finished his career with 32,292 points, 5,633 assists and 6,672 rebounds.

His acrobatic moves and uncanny shotmaking during his prime with the Bulls, whom he led to six NBA titles, established him as one of the greatest players in the sport's history.

"During my tour of Asia, I want to pass along this knowledge and encourage youth around the world that positive energy and high aspirations will lead to excellence," said Jordan.

The tour continues to Hong Kong and Taiwan on May 21 and 22 before concluding in Tokyo on May 23.

Position - Guard

Height - 6'6" Weight - 216

Birthdate - February 17, 1963

College - North Carolina 1985

NBA Experience - 15 seasons

Drafted - selected by Chicago in the first round (third overall) of the 1984 NBA Draft

Career Highlights

Five-time NBA Most Valuable Player (1987-88, 1990-91, 1991-92, 1995-96, 1997-98)

Ten-time All-NBA First Team selection (1986-87 to 1992-93, 1995-96 to 1997-98)

Selected in 1996 as one of the "50 Greatest Players in NBA History"

A member of six Chicago Bulls NBA championship teams (1990-91, 1991-92, 1992-93, 1995-96, 1996-97 and 1997-98)

Six-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player

The 1987-88 NBA Defensive Player of the Year and record nine-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selection (1987-88 to 1992-93, 1995-96 to 1997-98)

Shares the NBA record with Wilt Chamberlain for most consecutive seasons leading the league in scoring (seven, 1986-87 to 1992-93)

Participated in 13 NBA All-Star Games (1985, 1987-1993, 1996-98, 2002-03), starting 13 times.

(China Daily  May 18, 2004)