Chinese and American players celebrate Ping-Pong Diplomacy

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A delegation of Chinese table tennis players visited Michigan University in Ann Arbor on Monday, 45 years after the historic meeting between American and Chinese table tennis players in 1972, which paved the way for a formal visit to Beijing by the then US President Richard Nixon.

The delegation, led by Wang Jiarui, chairman of China Soong Ching Ling Foundation, has several big names among its members, including Olympic champion Ding Ning, Wang Hao, Yan Sen and Qiao Hong.

Liang Geliang and Zheng Huaiying, former world champions, as well as eye witnesses to the historical event, were also on the delegation. Both said it was exciting to return to Michigan University, the first place to host the Chinese table tennis players 45 years ago.

Chinese tennis player Wang Hao poses with Robert Blackwell of Chicago table tennis club Killerspin House. /Xinhua Photo

"I feel really excited, and it has been 45 years!" said Liang Geliang, while touring the Gerald R. Ford Library in the university, where quite a number of photos recording the historic event are on display.

"Now we’ve got a deepened mutual understanding with the US, and we’ve got closer exchanges between the people of the two countries. We have learned a lot from each other, and we’ve been maintaining such good relations. It felt different when I came back this time," said Liang.

US table tennis players Dell and Connie Sweeris play during the event. /Xinhua Photo‍

Liang and Zheng have also met with Dell and Connie Sweeris, who were in the US delegation that visited China back in 1971. They were among those to welcome the Chinese players on their US visit the following year.

After the joy of the reunion, the Chinese players showed their skills with an exhibition game, and Liang Geliang and Zheng Huaiying played a nostalgic mixed doubles game against the Sweeris couple, 45 years later.

A game between Ding Ning and Wang Hao brought the event to a close, with Ding’s style of serving particularly amazing the crowd.

Chinese table tennis player Ding Ning performs skills in the US. /Xinhua Photo

"It was an honor for me to participate in the event. This year marks the 45th anniversary of Ping-Pong Diplomacy, so I took the opportunity to visit the US with my predecessors, including Zheng Huaiying and Liang Geliang, who witnessed those historic events," said Ding Ning.

She added that she hopes to carry on the spirit of Ping-Pong Diplomacy and help more people learn about and enjoy the sport.

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