China, US celebrate 50th anniversary of Ping-Pong diplomacy - China.org.cn

Officials, scholars and former athletes celebrated the 50th anniversary of Ping-Pong diplomacy between China and the United States Saturday as they urged the two nations to pass on its spirit, manage differences and bolster exchanges.

The celebration, held by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, General Administration of Sports and China-U.S. Friendship Association, was attended by over 400 participants, including Ping-Pong players who took part in the events 50 years ago and China's basketball chief Yao Ming.

Vice President Wang Qishan said in a speech delivered via video link at the event that the reason why Ping-Pong diplomacy became part of history was because it fitted into the demand from people of both countries to break away the estrangement, step up communication and enhance mutual understanding.

The experience is still worthy borrowing from for the Sino-U.S. relationship 50 years on, he said.

He hailed the extraordinary vision of late Chinese and U.S. leaders, such as Chairman Mao Zedong, Premier Zhou Enlai and President Richard Nixon, in arranging the mutual visits of bilateral Ping-Pong teams, which eventually facilitated the China visit of President Nixon in 1972 and charted the course for the normalization of bilateral relations.

Sino-American relations were forged after generations of leaders and people from various sectors devoted their wisdom and efforts into it, which deserves to be carefully cherished, he said.

With bilateral relations now at a critical juncture, Wang said there are plenty of areas for world's two largest economies to step up cooperation, enhance understanding and expand cooperation...