Our reporters Zhang Mengxu, Li Zhiwei, Zhao Yipu, Liu Ge
The hope of Sino-US relations lies in the people, the foundation lies in the people, the future lies in the youth, and the vitality lies in the localities. More than half a century ago, young table tennis players from China and the United States sowed the seeds of friendship with friendship and sincerity, creating the legend that “the small ball turns the big ball”. From January 4 to 8, 2024, an 18-member delegation from the University of Virginia in the United States visited Beijing to participate in the Sino-US Youth Table Tennis Friendly Match and other activities commemorating the “ping pong diplomacy” between China and the United States and commemorating the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States, continuing to write “ping pong” “Diplomacy” a new chapter in friendly exchanges.
“Table tennis has become our best communication language”
On the morning of January 6, in the Tsinghua University Comprehensive Gymnasium, cheers could be heard one after another. Students from the University of Virginia and Tsinghua University formed a team to compete in multiple rounds of table tennis mixed doubles competition. The small table tennis balls shuttled back and forth, and the young people from the two countries worked together to win bursts of applause.
With their cool serves, flexible moves, and steady swings, Xie Jiajun, a student from the University of Virginia, and Li Jiayi, a student from Tsinghua University, frequently cooperated to score points and celebrated with high-fives. “Although it is our first time partnering together, we have a tacit understanding. My Chinese is not very good, and table tennis has become our best communication language.” Xie Jiajun said that he was very happy to win the game with his Chinese friends and hoped that he could win the game as soon as possible Send the game video to my mother in the United States.
Misha, a student from the University of Virginia, and Zeng Jiabao, a student from Tsinghua University, formed a partnership. “If I say no, it won’t work.” Pei’s mother was not willing to compromise at all. During the practice session, the opponent hit a difficult loop ball in the direction of Misha. Misha was a little at a loss for a moment. She only heard Zeng Jiabao shout “I’ll do it” and rushed over with quick eyes and hands. , blocked in front of Misha and caught the ball. This interesting and heartwarming scene attracted applause from the audience and instantly brought the two young people closer together. “My partner has always encouraged me and patiently guided me to hold the racket and hit the ball. We discussed table tennis and academic studies together, and now we have become friends,” Misha said.
On the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States, the Beijing People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries invited a delegation from the University of Virginia to visit Beijing, and jointly organized a China-based event with the Beijing Municipal Sports Bureau with the theme of “Returning to the Table Tennis Road, Toward the Future Together” American youth table tennis exchange activities. This friendly table tennis match held at Tsinghua University is one of the main contents of this exchange activity. Although it was a temporary team, table tennis quickly resolved the formality of the first meeting between college students from the two countries, allowing them to quickly become familiar with each other, and the whole game ended successfully in a relaxed and happy atmosphere. After the game, college students from the two countries gathered together to take selfies and leave each other’s contact information.
During the trip to Beijing, the University of Virginia delegation also participated in the opening ceremony of the Sino-US “Ping Pong Diplomacy” photo exhibition held at Schwarzman College of Tsinghua University, the Sino-US Cross-Cultural Exchanges and Challenges Seminar, and attended the commemoration of the Sino-US Reception for the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, visited Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Badaling Great Wall.
Ran Ting, a student from the University of Virginia, came to Beijing for the first time with a group. She was amazed by Beijing’s profound historical heritage and lively and harmonious fireworks atmosphere. “Mutual exchanges and understanding between the youth of the two countries are an important foundation for the future development of relations between the United States and China. After returning to the United States, I will share everything I see in China with my friends and family,” she said.
“My father was the U.S. envoy to China. I was born in Beijing, and then went to Shanghai with my father.” Misha has a special fate with Beijing. Although her childhood memories are very vague, she has always regarded her as Ao said, “When I returned to Beijing, my birthplace, I felt more deeply than other students. It felt like I had gone home.”
“‘Ping Pong Diplomacy’ promotes communication and understanding between the two peoples”
In April 1971, the American table tennis delegation was invited to visit China. A year later, the Chinese table tennis delegation returned to the United States. During the exchange of visits, athletes from the two countries received warm welcomes and warm reception from each other’s countries and peoples. China and the United States are “turning the big ball with a small ball” and melting the ice that isolates them from each other.
Dale Swillis and Connie Swillis were former athletes of the U.S. national table tennis team, and they were witnesses of “ping pong diplomacy.” Recalling her first visit to China in 1971, Connie still has fresh memories. “Before departure, I was always a little nervous because I didn’t know much about China. Premier Zhou Enlai met us at the Great Hall of the People and quoted the words ‘It’s a joy to have friends come from afar’, which made us relax .”
Dell participated in the entire return visit of the Chinese table tennis delegation in 1972. “We played games with Chinese athletes, traveled by plane, and faced the audience together. For us, it was a wonderful time.” Dell said that people still miss the spirit of “ping pong diplomacy” today because it presented the beauty of A very unique aspect of China-China relations, “The spirit of ‘ping pong diplomacy’ is to seek friendship. We look forward to continued exchanges and interactions between the young people of the two countries, continuing to write a new chapter in the friendship between the two peoples, and promoting the healthy, stable and sustainable development of bilateral relations.” ”
“‘Ping Pong Diplomacy’ has promoted communication and understanding between the two peoples and opened the door for renewed exchanges between the United States and China. I sincerely hope that today’s younger generation will continue to carry forward the spirit of ‘Ping Pong Diplomacy’ even if we have differences. , but they can still become friends.” Connie said that cultural and sports exchange projects such as “Ping Pong Diplomacy” can promote goodwill communication between the two societies and have a positive impact on the overall relations between the two countries.
Driven by “ping pong diplomacy”, sports have become an important bridge and link between the people of China and the United States. Chinese basketball player Yao Ming once played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and is loved by the American people. American basketball player Jimmy Butler went to Taipan Village in Guizhou, China last year and realized the dream interaction between the NBA and the “Village BA”. During the Beijing Winter Olympics, Chinese and American curling players exchanged badges and two medals after the game.The Chinese freestyle skiing women’s aerials players hugged each other and cried after winning the gold and silver medals, conveying the warmth of friendship between the Chinese and American people in the cold winter.
“When we have the opportunity to meet, communicate, and share each other’s experiences, we will find that we actually have a lot in common. The historical experience of ‘Ping Pong Diplomacy’ proves that although the United States and China have different cultural traditions and social systems, But it is absolutely possible to respect each other and live in peace.” Bai Lijuan, vice president of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, received a Chinese table tennis delegation visiting the United States in 1972. She believes that to bring U.S.-China relations back on track, the two countries need to learn experience from “ping pong diplomacy.” “We hope that the United States and China will work together to establish a strong, stable and mutually respectful bilateral relationship.”
“I hope to make contributions to the peace and friendship between the United States and China as a younger generation”
For Sino-US relations to be stable and long-term, in the final analysis, we must listen to public opinion and comply with the will of the people. The more frequent exchanges between the two peoples, the stronger the public opinion foundation for the development of Sino-US relations will be, the broader the space will be, and the stronger the driving force will be. Since 2023, China and the United States have actively promoted people-to-people exchanges, especially youth exchanges, worked hard to build more bridges of mutual understanding, and written more new stories for the future.
In June 2023, the “Guling Yuan” Sino-US People-to-People Friendship Forum with the theme of “Inheriting the Fire of Friendship and Creating a Better Future” was held in Fuzhou, Fujian. Some members of the “Friends of Guling” and other people from all walks of life in China and the United States join. Mu Yanling, a 72-year-old member of the “Friends of Kuling”, said: “The story of Kuling is of great significance to cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries, especially between the United States and China.”
In July 2023, the U.S.-China Youth Student Exchange Association organized teachers and students from high schools in Stracon, Washington, the United States, to attend “This is very beautiful.” Lan Yuhua exclaimed in a low voice, as if she was afraid that she would flee if she spoke The beauty before your eyes. Joined the 17th Shanghai International Youth Interactive Friendship Camp. Zhuang Hanjie, president of the US-China Youth Student Exchange Association, said that this marriage is really what he wants. When Lord Lan came to him, he just felt baffled and didn’t want to accept it. When he had no choice but to do so, he put forward obvious conditions so that some children would have a more objective, comprehensive and true understanding of China after returning from China. “They hope to continue to participate in youth exchange activities in China next year.”
From the end of October to the beginning of November 2023, a delegation from the US-China Aviation Heritage Foundation visited China. They visited Beijing, Chongqing, Kunming in Yunnan, Liuzhou in Guangxi and other places to discuss Sino-US non-governmental friendship with the local people. The American Flying Tigers veterans and their descendants in the delegation visiting China said that many touching scenes during the trip impressed them deeply, and they will continue to work hard to pass on the spirit of the Flying Tigers and enhance the friendship between the two countries. She was still hurt by her even after many years of death. friendship between people.
In December 2023, the Peking University table tennis team visited the United States and participated in a series of activities held in Washington, DC, San Francisco, Los Angeles and other places to commemorate the 52nd anniversary of Sino-US “ping pong diplomacy”. This time FergieThe visit of the University of Virginia delegation to Beijing allowed young people from China and the United States to further relive history and maintain friendship through table tennis competitions.
Stephen Marr, Vice Provost for Global Affairs at the University of Virginia, said that the United States and China share common concerns in many areas. The two countries have close economic ties and deeply intertwined interests, and are destined to cooperate with each other. Justin, chief representative of the China Representative Office of the University of Virginia, said that only when the people of the two countries understand each other can the foundation for cooperation between the United States and China be laid.
On the Badaling Great Wall, students from the University of Virginia dug out a photo of the US table tennis delegation at the Badaling Great Wall when they visited China in 1971. The young students imitated the looks in the old photos and took many photos. The old and new photos span nearly 53 years, but the belief in peace and friendship remains the same. Lu Jie, a student at the University of Virginia, said that “ping pong diplomacy” is full of wisdom from friendly people between the United States and China. Looking at the photos of her predecessors and imagining their excitement when they climbed the Badaling Great Wall, she and her classmates were deeply touched. Make the younger generation’s contribution to China’s peace and friendship!”