New country, new name.

That's the approach the player formerly known as Ron Artest is taking as he prepares to play his first season in China.

China Daily reported that Artest, known most recently as Metta World Peace, has decided to change his name to "Panda Friend."

World Peace, who will play in China this season after playing part of last year with the Knicks, later tweeted that his new name is "The Pandas Friend."

The 34-year-old forward will play in China this season for the Sichuan Blue Whales, a league source confirmed. World Peace agreed to a one-year deal worth $1.4 million, making him one of the highest-paid players in China's pro league. The terms of World Peace's deal were first reported by Real GM.