45 Years of China-US Ties: Young ping-pong players help advance friendship despite differences
Jan 02, 2024
Peking University, January 2, 2024: Events have been held in the US to celebrate more than half a century of what's known as "ping pong diplomacy", which is credited with helping break the ice with China before the formal establishment of diplomatic relations 45 years ago. Wang Mengjie with CGTN spoke to a Peking University coach and students who attended one of the celebratory events in Los Angeles.
Encouraged by his mother Gong Mingze was five years old when he first started playing table tennis, or ping pong.
GONG MINGZE, Student, Department of Physical Education and Research, Peking University "Ping-pong is very popular at my mother's age. She said the sports is excellent, and wanted me to become the next world champion. It strikes me as a friend, who is always by my side."
But the young gun couldn't imagine that his love of the sport would one day make him a promoter of peace.
GONG MINGZE, Student, Department of Physical Education and Research, Peking University "It was my first time going abroad. My first time attending such an international event. I fought tooth and nail to get a winner there, even didn't recognize my finger was hurt and bloody. Players in the US were so warm and friendly, they gave me bandage and cheered for me."
One of Gong's teammates, Zhang Xue'en, was equally fond of her time in the U.S..
ZHANG XUE'EN, Student, Department of Physical Education and Research, Peking University "I'm a right-handed player with and open grip and a pimples-in bat. I played women's doubles with a student from the University of Virginia during the tour. We were strangers before the game, but joined at the hip after communication on set. This is the magic of sports."
"My backswing is too long when defending."
The saying goes – the best way to learn is to learn from the best. Seven-time table tennis world champion and now professor and team coach at Peking University, Liu Wei has more to say about ping-pong exchanges.
LIU WEI, Coach, Department of Physical Education and Research, Peking University "The 2023 visit to the US is new and fresh. More and more people could speak Chinese. More of the younger generation have engaged with the sport. Our students also harvested friendship. The tour not only improved their technique but they also expanded horizons."
"The ball is on the table, but hard to score."
"You play hard but are unable to win."
"How to win? This is your score."
LIU WEI, Coach, Department of Physical Education and Research, Peking University "In 2024, we'll also invite US students to China to compete together. As a member of Peking University, I'm responsible to promote the sport and advance friendship from both sides. As we celebrate the anniversary of ties between China and US, I hope the two sides can promote friendship and peace in the future."
This story originally appeared in CGTN with the headline "45 Years of China-US Ties: Young ping-pong players help advance friendship despite differences".
Source:
CGTN
Written by:
Wang Mengjie
Edited by:
Dennis Meng
