NBA star center Yao Ming said he was looking forward to bearing the flag for China before the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games on Friday.

"I didn't do anything in particular but I really looked forward to it," said Yao.

Yao is going to be the flag bearer of the Chinese delegation for the second straight Summer Olympics, tying the record of former Chinese basketballer Liu Yudong.

"After I walk the lap (of the National Stadium) is when I will know my feelings."

Yao reiterated that the Chinese men's team would strive for a top eight finish on home soil.

"In basketball, the European and American teams are making very good progress, so our team is facing greater challenges," said the 2.26-meter NBA all-star center. "We'll do our best to make the top eight."

China, who finished eighth at the Athens Games four years ago, will face the United States, Spain, Greece, Germany and Angola in Beijing Olympics preliminaries with top four finishers to advance into quarterfinals.

"After the draw we knew we would meet very strong opponents and I believe we should do out utmost to achieve our goal rather than rely on luck."

(Xinhua News Agency August 8, 2008)