China commemorates 50th anniversary of Ping-Pong Diplomacy

Players from both sides warm up prior to a China-U.S. Ping-Pong friendly match during a special event in Shanghai, east China, April 10, 2021. A special event was held here on Saturday to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Ping-Pong Diplomacy between China and the United States. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang)

SHANGHAI, April 10 (Xinhua) -- A special event was held here on Saturday to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Ping-Pong Diplomacy between China and the United States.

At the conclusion of the 31st World Championships in Nagoya, Japan, at the invitation of the Chinese table tennis team, the U.S. table tennis team arrived on April 10, 1971, to commence their visit to China, becoming the first U.S. group to visit since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.

The Chinese team paid a return visit the following year. The mutual visits broke the ice in two decades of estranged Sino-U.S. relations and eventually led to the normalization of bilateral ties.

The commemorative activity was staged in the International Table Tennis Federation Museum in Shanghai.

"The Ping-Pong Diplomacy of 50 years ago is of special significance in the history of China-US relations," Chinese Ambassador to the United States Cui Tiankai addressed a video speech.

Sheri Cioroslan, former president of USA Table Tennis, shared her story via video of learning about the "Ping-Pong Diplomacy" at a young age and her efforts in carrying on the legacy of the "Ping-Pong Diplomacy" during her stint.

"There are so many memories to cherish and so many more to make," she noted.

Sha Hailin, chairman of the Shanghai People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, gifted eight Chinese witnesses the "Ping-Pong Diplomacy" souvenir medals and Ping-Pong paddles. The souvenirs for American witnesses were received by James Heller, the U.S. Consul General in Shanghai.

Guests were shown around the China-U.S. Ping-Pong Diplomacy 50th Anniversary Exhibition at the museum, where photos, collections and videos were displayed to help the audience review the history.

After the ceremony, four teams took part in a China-U.S. Ping-Pong friendly match including players from China Table Tennis College, the U.S. Consulate General in Shanghai, American companies and commercial associations in Shanghai.

Xu Yinsheng, ITTF honorary president, announced the opening of the match. ITTF vice president Shi Zhihao and Jeffrey Lehman, vice-chancellor of Shanghai New York University, hit the first shot.

The event was organized by the Shanghai People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Shanghai Sports Federation, Shanghai University of Sport and Shanghai Institute of American Studies.