China's first 3x3 professional basketball league began its competitions in Zhangjiagang in east China's Jiangsu Province, on Thursday. Yao Ming, President of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), called the new league a completely different system from the CBA league in an interview with Xinhua News Agency.

"First, we have a clear goal. This league is one of our major projects after 3x3 basketball steps on the quick path of development," Yao said. "We hope to bring all 3x3 basketball players nationwide to this platform, where they can meet and communicate by playing games, as well as to build a bigger basketball population in China."

Yao told Xinhua that he doesn't think there is an absolute difference between the professionals and the amateurs in playing basketball games. "If there is, we should break it," Yao said. "We all want to see stories of some nobody walking to the top platform via competitions. Once we break the difference and establish a channel between the professionals and amateurs, we will have more stories like this."

"That's what the Chinese basketball slogan of 'making the ordinary extraordinary' means. I think more non-professional players, including but not limited to those from the entertainment show 'The King of Underdogs' will join the 3x3 league," Yao added.

Some of the teams in the 3x3 league also have players who used to compete in the 5x5 games. When asked about relations between the CBA league and the 3x3 league, Yao said that they are not primary and secondary to each other.

"They are two different games, like volleyball and beach volleyball, to a certain degree," Yao said. "The CBA league and the 3x3 league are both the top on their categories. Of course, there will be players participating in both. I believe such diversified involvement will make the games more exciting and enrich the experience of both players and fans."

Li Longyuan, who used to be a member of the Chinese national backup team, joined the 3x3 team of the Beijing Royal Fighters.

"I feel, the 3x3 basketball games are more intense and have a higher demand for stamina than the 5x5 games," Li said in an interview with China Media Group (CMG).

According to Li, 3x3 basketball is more of s anaerobic sport than 5x5 basketball. It's more physical and consumes players' strength more quickly. Li considers his good shooting ability as an advantage in playing 3x3 basketball.

"When you shoot well, your team scores faster; if you keep missing shots, you will need to invest more strengths in defending and rebounding," Li said.

Though 3x3 basketball already became an Olympic sport, many people still don't have a clear knowledge of it and Yao wants to change that. "People used to think that 3x3 basketball is secondary to 5x5 basketball. Now we think 3x3 basketball should played in a different style. It's a challenge, but we are confident we can do it. The CBA league took years to develop into today's form. We believe fans will grow more familiar with the 3x3 league and fall in love with it in the end," Yao said.