
Nike and the late Kobe Bryant have become synonymous with Lunar New Year celebrations, with 2025 shaping up to be the self-proclaimed "Year of the Mamba." The year has already seen reptile-inspired designs, the return of the "Moonwalker" Kobe 9, and collaborations with FC Barcelona and the LA Dodgers. But no "Year of the Mamba" celebration would be complete without the return of the Nike Kobe 9 EM "China," a pair that first debuted in 2014.
Released as an homage to Kobe's deep connection to China, where he often hosted youth basketball camps, the "China" colorway features vibrant details and a design inspired by his bond with Chinese fans. Over a decade later, the sneaker is set to return.

The 2025 release will be an exact retro of the original, the return of this iconic colorway adds to an already packed lineup for the retro Kobe line this year. With more details expected to emerge in the coming months, the anticipation for this release continues to build.
The Nike Kobe 9 EM "China" will release on November 22, 2025, in adult and kid sizes.
For more on Kobe, make sure to checkout the "Team Bank" collection which is available now.























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