Cold War, warm welcome

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1972. History showed up in smiles, cheers and outstretched hands.

When the Chinese table tennis team arrived in the US for their historic visit in April 1972, something extraordinary occurred. The welcome was personal – warm, sincere, and surprising.

These photos capture it all: custom T-shirts with crossed ping-pong paddles featuring the American and Chinese flags; handwritten banners reading "Welcome to Detroit" and "Welcome, Chinese Table Tennis Team." The Chinese characters – slightly wobbly but deeply sincere. Crowds waved, cheered, and reached out. And everywhere – flags side by side.

Decades of separation dissolved into moments of real connection. No politics. No strategy.

Just people – choosing friendship.

(All photos are provided by China Media Group)

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