There's no other foreign athlete that has cemented himself into the Chinese culture quite like Stephon Marbury.

从没有一个外国运动员像史蒂芬·马布里一样，把自己如此深入地融入到中国文化当中。

His efforts are being rewarded by the city of Beijing who is expected to grant the three-time Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) champion with a Chinese "green card", or permanent residence permit, at the MasterCard Center later this month.

他的努力最终得到了北京这座城市的认可。在北京三夺中国男子篮球职业联赛（CBA）总冠军之后，他将会于本月底在万事达获得中国"绿卡"，即永久居留许可。

The two-time NBA all-star who left the US and a 20 million US-dollar NBA contract behind six years ago to play pro¹ basketball in China. He led Beijing to their third and second straight Chinese basketball league title in March and was voted the CBA finals MVP.

马布里曾两次入选NBA全明星，6年前，他放弃了与NBA价值2000万美元的合同，离开美国到中国打职业篮球赛。在今年的3月，马布里带领北京队拿下第三个，也是连续第二个CBA总冠军，他自己也被评选为CBA总决赛最有价值球员。

"It's a high honor to be the only foreigner playing in the CBA to be granted the card. I've already embraced the city (as my home). That's a historical moment," said Marbury.

马布里表示，“作为CBA历史上唯一一位获得绿卡的现役外援，我深感荣幸。我已经把这座城市当成了我的家。这真是一个历史性的时刻。”

The 38-year-old American is so popular in his adopted hometown that he was named honorary citizen of Beijing. Outside Beijing's home court, the MasterCard Center, Marbury has his own statue.

这位38岁的美国人在他的第二故乡非常受欢迎，并且还被提名为北京市荣誉市民。在北京队的主场万事达外，马布里还有自己的一座雕像。

"They just approved it recently. I think I will receive it officially on Christmas Day. That's one of the best things (to have the permit). I don't have to apply for a visa anymore."

“他们最近通过了这项决议。我想我会在圣诞节正式得到绿卡。这（获得许可）真是太棒了。我再也不用申请签证了。”

China started granting permanent residence permits to foreigners in 2004. Since then, about 5,000 foreigners have received permits.

中国于2004年正式对外国人授予永久居留证。自那以后，共有大约五千名外国人获得了这一许可。