Players from China and the United States take part in a friendly match to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Ping-Pong Diplomacy at the International Table Tennis Federation Museum in Shanghai, east China, April 10, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang)
PING-PONG DIPLOMACY MARCHES ON
The world nowadays is different from half a century ago, and especially the COVID-19 pandemic shows the necessity of consultation and cooperation among different countries and regions so as to effectively address global challenges, and sports should have a role to play.
"Today, the China-U.S. relationship faces a critical choice as to its future path. The two sides should inherit and carry forward the spirit of 'Ping-Pong Diplomacy' featuring mutual respect and seeking common ground while reserving differences," Cui noted.
"At present, the pandemic and the great changes unseen in a century are intertwined, and traditional and non-traditional security threats have emerged one after another. In the face of varied global challenges, China and the United States can and should cooperate in more rather than fewer areas, and the fundamental force that moves the big ball is not weakened, but grows stronger."
"Friendship from generation to generation is a common desire for both Chinese and American people," said table tennis legend Zhang Xielin.
As another witness of the "Ping-Pong Diplomacy," Zhang expects that through this commemorative event, people can remember the history and continue with people-to-people exchanges and friendship.
In a video speech, former president of USA Table Tennis Sheri Cioroslan shared her story of learning about the "Ping-Pong Diplomacy" in a young age and 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.
Zhou Qingjie, director of Sports Exchange Research Center of China Foreign Affairs University, said sports exchanges have grown to an important tool in building international relations and a community with a shared future for mankind, as relevant parties have attached greater importance to people-to-people exchanges.
"The pandemic has raged the world since early 2020, and the international community has been in a complicated scenario. Different countries and their people call for more mutual exchanges than ever to realize peace and development and win-win cooperation, and sports has a unique role in fulfilling these visions," he said.
A match followed the opening ceremony on Saturday, featuring four teams mixing Chinese and American table tennis lovers.
Jeffrey Lehman, vice chancellor of New York University Shanghai, participated in the match. He recalled the scene of watching an exhibition game in 1972 as a high school student.
"Obviously (it was) a turning point. It was a critical moment that the story of these two players changed the history," Lehman said.
"As for sports exchanges in the post-pandemic era, we need to blaze new trails in their form and open up more channels to embrace the world with an open mindset," Zhou commented.
"Today's world is totally different from that in 1971. 'Ping-Pong Diplomacy' cannot be replicated, but its implications deserve to be cherished," said Lyu Xiang, a Sino-U.S. relations expert of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
