China’s state broadcaster has no plans to resume airing NBA games in the country, according to a post Monday on microblogging platform Weibo.

China Central Television said that, with regard to “recent rumors” of a thaw between the two sides, its position “on issues concerning China’s sovereignty” has been “serious, clear, and consistent.” In October, the network suspended NBA broadcasts over a social media post by Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey in support of the ongoing anti-government protests in Hong Kong.

Speculation that bridges between the league and the network might be mended began Monday, when Michael Ma was named chief executive of the NBA’s China operations. Ma’s father is one of the founders of CCTV and is credited with securing broadcast rights for NBA games in China in the 1990s, according to Reuters. The elder Ma had been an advisor to the Chinese Basketball Association before resigning from his post Tuesday.

It is unclear when — or if — the NBA will resume play this season after being forced to suspend games in March due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. (Image: IC)