Basketball star Yao Ming has lent his voice to the animated film "Malan Flower". Yao made an appearance in Beijing this week to describe his voiceover experience.

Yao voices the "Old Daddy" character in the film. It's a new experience for the sports star. But Yao says he felt a little depressed during the work.

Yao said, "The character is much older than me. But they said that my voice suited its character. I wonder if I am an old man to some degree. I voice the part of a dad, but I myself am not a dad yet. I have to thank the director a lot - he was well versed in showing a complete amateur how to do it."

China's big screens have been filled with Hollywood animations in recent years like the Lion King, Finding Nemo and Kung Fu Panda. Many Chinese animators felt it was time to produce Chinese cartoons that are just as popular as their Hollywood counterparts. Yao Ming felt the same way.

"We have to admit that cultures from overseas have had a great impact on our own culture. I hope that through our effort, Chinese kids will like these domestically-made animations, such as the Malan Flower, and they will carry on our culture for future generations," said Yao.

Yao will donate all his income from the movie to the Shanghai Special-Care Foundation. The film hits screens around China on June 19th.

(CCTV June 16, 2009)