Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel urged Cuban citizens to prepare to fight in case of an invasion in a thinly veiled reference to the United States during a rally in the capital Havana on Thursday.
The grand rally was held on Thursday morning to commemorate the 65th anniversary of Fidel Castro's declaration that the Cuban Revolution was of a socialist nature.
Diaz-Canel, leaders of the Cuban Revolution, government officials, and representatives from all sectors of society attended the event.
The Pentagon is stepping up contingency planning for a possible military operation in Cuba, in case U.S. President Donald Trump orders an intervention on the island country, USA Today reported Wednesday.
Citing two anonymous sources familiar with the matter, the report said the directives appear to reflect an escalation of recent tensions between the two countries since January, when the Trump administration imposed new oil restrictions on Cuba and issued military threats as part of a broader plan to force political changes there.
On Monday, Trump threatened again that Cuba would be Washington's next target following attacks on Venezuela and Iran.
In an interview with NBC aired Sunday, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said that dialog with the United States is possible but difficult.
Cuba is willing to engage with Washington on issues such as migration, drug trafficking and security, but only based on "respect and equality," Diaz-Canel said.
Cuba has been facing a severe economic and energy crisis since the U.S. military raided Venezuela and took Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by force on January 3. The U.S. operation on Caracas has heavily disrupted Cuba's oil supplies from Venezuela and Mexico afterward.
Cuban president urges citizens to prepare for possible invasion
Cuban president urges citizens to prepare for possible invasion
The China-U.S. Youth Table Tennis Friendship Match was held Thursday at Ningxia Gymnasium in northwest China, carrying forward the tradition of Ping-Pong Diplomacy, the 1971 exchange when U.S. table tennis players visited China and helped break the ice in bilateral relations.
The U.S. collegiate team from the Pacific Northwest, led by Judy Hoarfrost, who at 15 joined the historic 1971 delegation, paired with Ningxia University athletes to form "Team Peace" and "Team Friendship" for a friendly competition.
Hoarfrost struck the opening ball, recalling her role in the original Ping‑Pong Diplomacy visit more than five decades ago.
"It's really warm-heartening for me to be here today with our young athletes from my region of the United States. For most of them, it's their first time in China. They are learning all about Ping-Pong Diplomacy while they're here, but they're also creating Ping-Pong Diplomacy," said Hoarfrost, who is also the president and CEO of Paddle Palace Club.
For many of the American students visiting China for the first time, table tennis became their bridge to Chinese peers and a direct way to connect across cultures.
"I feel pretty good. It's been fun to play a lot of different players, so it has been a good experience. I think sports are a great way, just for younger people especially, to see one another's culture. I mean, we all have shared love of the sport, so it helps people connect with each other," said Nathanael Jaden Wilkinson, a student and athlete of Oregon State University.
"I'm really happy to have the chance to exchange and learn with the American athletes. I think sports are a great medium to bring the people of China and the United States closer - including the friendly exchanges between our younger generations. Through table tennis, through the process of learning from each other on the court, a wonderful friendship can be formed," said Lu Chang, a student and athlete of Ningxia University.
The year 2026 marks the 55th anniversary of Ping‑Pong Diplomacy, the landmark 1971 visit by a U.S. table tennis delegation that broke the ice in China‑U.S. relations and paved the way for exchanges that continue today.
Youth table tennis match carries forward Ping‑Pong Diplomacy tradition in northwest China
Youth table tennis match carries forward Ping‑Pong Diplomacy tradition in northwest China
