A commemorative event to mark the 55th anniversary of Sino-US „ping-pong diplomacy“ was held at the Capital Indoor Stadium in Beijing on Thursday. The event was jointly organized by the General Administration of Sports of China, China Media Group (CMG) and the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.
The event was attended by more than 500 people, including representatives from government institutions, international organisations, the sports and media sectors, as well as youth delegates from both countries.
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday sent a congratulatory letter on the occasion commemorating the 55th anniversary of Sino-US ping-pong diplomacy.
President of CMG Shen Haixiong said President Xi Jinping's letter provides important direction for deepening Sino-US friendship, developing exchanges and cooperation, and will inspire further efforts for the stable and sustainable development of bilateral relations.
Shen recalled that 55 years ago, the spring visit reopened the door to people-to-people exchanges between China and the US. Today, the political wisdom and strategic vision embodied in „ping-pong diplomacy“ is even more relevant and shows the power of dialogue and goodwill in overcoming differences versus confrontation.
He also stressed that CMG remains committed to bringing people in China and the US closer together through exchanges and cooperation, and promoting mutual understanding. At the new starting point, as China enters the next five-year planning period, CMG is ready to work with all sectors to continue the spirit of „ping-pong diplomacy“ and contribute to building a community with a shared future for humanity.
Jan Carol Berris, vice president of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, who was present at the exchanges 55 years ago, said she hopes the spirit of mutual respect and friendly dialogue will help build a stable and respectful relationship between the two countries that will benefit their people and global peace and development.
Petra Erika Gummesson Soerling, President of the International Table Tennis Federation, described „ping pong diplomacy“ as a milestone in the history of table tennis and expressed her wish that its spirit would strengthen international friendship.
During the event, former table tennis players Liang Geliang, Zheng Minzhi, Connie Mae Sweeris and Judy Louise Hoarfrost shared their memories of the historic journey of ping pong that helped bring China-US relations closer more than half a century ago.
The CMG documentary „The Silver Ball: A Journey Beyond“ was officially launched at the event and follows how the sport promotes people-to-people exchanges between China and the US.
The ceremony also kicked off a series of China-US youth sports exchanges for 2026.
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