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Ping-pong 'diplomats' recall historic events

Post by Paddle Palace

Apr 30 2021

By May Zhou (China Daily Global)

Three Americans involved in "Ping-Pong Diplomacy'' 50 years ago discussed the significance of the matches then and now while expressing optimism for US-China relations.

Judy Hoarfrost was 15 years old and had to ask her parents' permission to travel to China when her American table tennis team was invited to visit in April 1971.

The Chinese players "were vastly superior to me", she said. "They called the matches 'friendship first, competition second', and that's what we experienced over and over again while we were in China. It was warming hospitality and an amazing experience," she said at a webinar hosted by the National Committee on US-China Relations (NCUSCR) on Wednesday....Read More.

Players from both sides participate in a China-US Ping-Pong friendly match during a special event in Shanghai, China, April 10, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua]

https://youtu.be/-oDbS8jpwvw

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