http://www.badzine.net/news/lin-dan-to-lead-chinese-contingent-to-dutch-open/26699/ What's going on http://bwf.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/tournament.aspx?id=560E7DF9-B68C-4A95-8354-49DF8B039789
He needs ranking points because his ranking is too low for direct entry to Superseries events. The altruistic answer would be he is trying to publicise and help the popularity of badminton in countries where the sport is less popular!
Wow, don't want to miss out on that opportunity. Got free tickets the last few years through the webshop I buy from (seem to be Yonex tickets), hope they do that this year as well.
If he wins Dutch Open, his ranking point will increase by 5000 to 20850, he will be ranked around 70-80. If China SSP is already filled with players in top 60, he might still not able to participate but if not many high ranked MS player taking part, then he might still play. Similarly for HK SS. Slightly different story for HK SS, if LD plays and wins London GPG, he will get additional 7000 point, likely enough for HK where the entry deadline is after London GPG.
Bad news. LD may not go after all. See what LYB has to say about LD's master plan: http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/showthread.php/19303-Lin-Dan-(-林丹-)?p=2138643#post2138643