Players from both countries will compete in mixed doubles at the World Table Tennis Championships in Houston this week to mark an important milestone in sporting and diplomatic history.
50 years ago, Chinese leader Mao Zedong invited the US table tennis team to China. A series of friendlies then helped to break the ice before Secretary of State Henry Kissinger’s groundbreaking and secretive trip to China a few months later – which resulted in President Richard Nixon opening the doors to the reclusive giant. then and finally put it on the path to where it is today. rising superpower status.
If ever a new goodwill breakthrough was needed, it is now. US-China relations are at their lowest point since China reopened to the world, with disputes simmering over Taiwan, human rights, the repression of Uighur Muslims and construction Beijing’s army.
That’s plenty for a few rubber cushions and some bouncing plastic balls to fix. But table tennis has worked before.
Two pairs of matches will try to close the geopolitical gap in Texas: China’s Lin Gaoyuan will play Lily Zhang of the United States, while Kanak Jha of the United States will play China’s Wang Manyu.
“These athletes, who are friends, can compete together; so that the fans of the two countries can cheer them on, opening a new chapter of Ping Pong Diplomacy in this new era,” Liu said. speak.
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