More than half a century after 'ping-pong diplomacy' helped open dialogue during the Cold War, players, diplomats and students from China and the UK gathered in London on Monday for a special event to celebrate its lasting legacy as a bridge between cultures. The gathering was jointly hosted by the Chinese Embassy in London and Loughborough University, which is ranked number one in the world for sports-related subjects.
Speaking at the event, China's Ambassador to the UK Zheng Zeguang described sport as a powerful tool for cultural exchange and friendship.
Wang Liqin, president of the Chinese Table Tennis Association, said that sports exchange is a language that can transcend cultures. He noted that table tennis has been a warm bond of friendship between the people of China and the UK for 55 years, opening the door to mutual understanding and communication.
Fresh from their victory at the World Table Tennis Championship Finals in the UK capital at the weekend, members of China's national team, including men's singles world number one Wang Chuqin, joined English national team players and students for a friendly match at the Loughborough University's London campus.
Organizers said the event was not only about commemorating history, but also about encouraging future collaboration, cultural exchange and youth engagement between the UK and China.
"I think that sport enables friendship, mutual respect, and some of those soft power relationships. I think the younger that we are able to have some of those exchanges for young children and young people, the better. So we're very excited about bringing young people and Team England into China and working with the Chinese team in the future," said Sally Lockyer, CEO of Table Tennis England.
Students say they also hope to personally further these exchanges themselves in the future.
"Definitely, I'd consider going to China at least one day just to experience a bit of the table tennis culture there," said Jamie, a table tennis player from Loughborough University.
The story of 'ping-pong diplomacy' between China and the UK dates back to the 1971, when England's table tennis team traveled to China and met with then Premier Zhou Enlai.
Later that year, the Chinese team made a return visit to the UK, where they were received by then-Prime Minister Edward Heath and Anne, Princess Royal. The late Queen Elizabeth II also sent her best wishes to the visiting team.
These early exchanges are widely regarded as having played an important step in the development of UK-China relations.
UK, China celebrate 55 years of ping-pong diplomacy in London
