Interview with the members of the American table tennis team who visited China in 1971: 50 years of "ping pong diplomacy" memories will last

　　China News Service, Washington, April 8th, title: Interview with members of the US table tennis team who visited China in 1971: 50 years of "ping-pong diplomacy", those memories will last

　　China News Agency reporter Sha Hanting

　　"Even though 50 years have passed, the experience of going to China is still fresh in my memory, and that experience has affected my life." Judy Hoarfrost said.

The picture shows a group photo of the American table tennis team with Chinese personnel in 1971.

(Data Picture) China News Service sent the respondent to provide the picture for the picture

　　In April 1971, the American table tennis team was invited by China to visit China historically, becoming the first American to visit China after the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Connie Sweeris and Judy Hall Frost was in the 15-member US table tennis delegation at the time.

As witnesses of "ping-pong diplomacy," the two recently accepted an exclusive interview with a reporter from China News Agency through video and telephone.

　　Talking about this trip 50 years ago, both of them could not hide their excitement.

Connie said that while she was participating in the Nagoya World Table Tennis Championships in Japan in 1971, when she suddenly learned that she was going to visit China, she felt a little worried, but more excited.

Judy, who was only 15 years old at the time, thought "this will be an interesting adventure."

The picture shows that Connie accepted a video interview with reporters on April 6.

Photo by China News Agency reporter Sha Hanting

　　In a week in China, the American table tennis team held a friendly match with the Chinese table tennis team in the "Friendship First, Competition Second", and visited scenic spots such as the Great Wall and the Summer Palace.

Whether it is playing under the watchful eyes of 18,000 spectators or climbing the Great Wall built on the top of a mountain, Connie and Judy are still fresh in their memories.

The picture shows Connie shaking hands with Premier Zhou Enlai in the Great Hall of the People in 1971.

(Data Picture) China News Service sent the respondent to provide the picture for the picture

　　In Connie's view, the most memorable experience for her during that trip to China was that Premier Zhou Enlai met them in the Great Hall of the People.

Connie said that an interesting incident happened at the time.

At the dinner, Premier Zhou asked the members of the US delegation what they were dissatisfied with about the itinerary.

Stinghoven, who was the head of the US delegation at the time, said "Yes," and the audience immediately fell into silence.

Later, Stinhoven said, "You have given us too much good food."

There was a burst of laughter from the audience.

　　In Connie’s memory, all the Chinese people met during the China trip were very friendly. Whether it was a table tennis team member or a pedestrian on the street, they would smile and say hello when they saw them, Americans in “fancy dress”.

The friendship and enthusiasm of the Chinese people left a deep impression on Connie.

　　In 1971, the US table tennis team's trip to China was "a friendly exchange between the athletes of the two countries" in the eyes of the American players, and in the eyes of the world, it was hailed as "the small ball turns the big ball", which opened the door to Sino-US exchanges.

In July of that year, Kissinger, the then-U.S. President's National Security Affairs Assistant, secretly visited China.

The following year, when US President Nixon visited China, Sino-US relations began to normalize.

The picture shows a recent photo of Judy.

(Profile picture) Photo courtesy of Judy Hallfrost sent by China News Agency

　　As a "ping pong diplomat" who made history, Judy believes that sports such as table tennis can enhance mutual understanding among people from different countries.

She said that although the United States and China speak different languages, they both use the same language in sports.

When playing table tennis, everyone knows each other through the perspective of table tennis, and table tennis is the bond of communication.

The picture shows a group photo with the Chinese players during the US table tennis team's visit to China in 1971.

(Connie is on the right in the back row, and Judy is in the front row.)

　　Connie also said that because of table tennis, she has established a deep friendship with Chinese athletes.

"Like Liang Geliang, we met when the Chinese team came to the United States in 1972, and later met on the anniversary of the'Ping Pong Diplomacy'. We have been in constant contact over the years and have maintained this friendship." Connie believes that people from different countries Communication between people can break cultural barriers and eliminate misunderstandings, and the friendship between people will also benefit the mutual trust between countries.

　　For China, both Connie and Judy believe that they have a "special and cordial" position in their hearts.

Connie said that in the past 50 years, she has visited China four times, and the changes in China made her "awesome".

From 1971, people wore dark blue and black clothes and rode bicycles. When they went to China again in 1997, there were already beautiful buildings, streets and various cars like New York.

"Watching such dramatic changes in China over the past few decades is a very precious memory for me."

　　For Judy, her trip to China 50 years ago gave her a keen interest in Chinese culture and history, and she has been paying attention to China's development and changes.

Since then, she has visited China many times and has many Chinese friends. As the CEO of a table tennis equipment company, she also has a lot of business dealings with China.

　　Judy also said that it was the trip to China that made her 15-year-old realize that she should look at the world with an open attitude.

"There are different cultures, viewpoints, and political systems in the world. People in different countries see the world in different ways. You can't take the opinions that you know are right for granted. This idea has been with me throughout my life."

　　This year, 50 years have passed since the US table tennis team visited China in 1971.

Connie told reporters that only five of the 15-member US delegation are still alive.

"50 years are really very long, too much can happen", and she also hopes that the US-China relationship that has gone through dozens of years of ups and downs can have a bright future.

　　"When the epidemic is over, I hope I can go to China again and reunite with my old friends." Connie said.

(Finish)