The passionate people of China place a premium on winning, since the country is often considered to contain an extremely cohesive culture. Team success is the standard across the water, but the leader still stands in the limelight. With five NBA Championships to his name, Kobe Bryant has long been one of the most popular basketball players in China, and his signature sneaker line with Nike has consistently celebrated the connection. Aside from the secondary Nike Kobe Dream Season and Venomenon series that were originally created exclusively for the overseas market, the Black Mamba’s premier signatures have continuously been cooked up in special edition “China” colorways. From the early Nike Kobe I through III for the culture that sported Lakers colors to the later style codes that celebrate the Chinese Zodiac, Kobe’s kicks have always celebrated his annual tours overseas.

In anticipation of the latest from the line that releases tomorrow, the Nike Kobe 9 EM “China”, we take a look back at Kobe’s entire Swoosh signature series that drew inspiration from China. Scroll and click through to get a full rundown, and stay with Nice Kicks for everything sneakers.

Nike Kobe I

Model: Nike Kobe I China Edition PE

Kobe Bryant’s first Swoosh signature sneaker affiliated with China came a full two years after the Nike Kobe I was first debuted. In a random release in 2008, this China Edition PE came out of nowhere and dropped only overseas in a Lakers white and purple color combination, finished off with the Black Mamba’s new number “24” on the heel.