In a vibrant celebration of friendship and sport, athletes and fans from the U.S. and the Chinese mainland gathered in Los Angeles to commemorate the 53rd Anniversary of \"Ping-Pong Diplomacy\". 🎉🏓
Iconic players like Ma Long, China's six-time Olympic gold medalist, and fellow Olympic champion Liu Shiwen took to the tables for friendly matches. They teamed up with Connie and Dell Sweeris, members of the historic 1971 U.S. table tennis team, and sparred with young talents from the current USA team. The event was a heartfelt nod to the legacy of the groundbreaking China-U.S. \"Ping-Pong Diplomacy\". 🇺🇸🇨🇳
The original era of \"Ping-Pong Diplomacy\" kicked off when American player Glenn Cowan missed his team bus and was invited by Chinese player Zhuang Zedong to ride with the Chinese team during the 31st World Championships in Japan. This unexpected gesture led to an invitation from the Chinese government for the U.S. team to visit the Chinese mainland, helping to thaw relations between the two governments at the time. 🤝
\"I can feel their long-time passion for table tennis. When they were young, they knew each player in the Chinese team very well. I think the friendship has always been there,\" Ma Long reflected. 💭
\"It feels like I went back in time. I can imagine them competing back in the days. When we play a game, it's like the spirit of the sport has lived on,\" added Liu Shiwen. 🕰️
The event wasn't just about ping-pong—it's about bridging cultures and renewing friendships that have spanned over half a century. It's a reminder that sports can build bridges where politics sometimes falter. 🌉
Reference(s):
53rd anniversary of "Ping-Pong Diplomacy" celebrated in Los Angeles
cgtn.com
