A ceremony was held in Shanghai to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the so-called "ping-pong diplomacy," which led to the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and the United States, which was in conflict during the Cold War.
As the conflict between the United States and China deepens to the point of being called the "New Cold War," China seems to have the aim of improving relations through these events.
"Ping-pong diplomacy" improved relations between the two countries as a result of deepening exchanges between U.S. and Chinese players at the World Table Tennis Championships held in Nagoya in 1971 during the Cold War, which led to the establishment of diplomatic relations thereafter. It is known as diplomacy through sports.
In Shanghai, a ceremony was held on the 10th to commemorate the 50th anniversary of "ping-pong diplomacy" with the participation of Chinese athletes who participated in the world championships at that time and executives of the US Consulate General in Shanghai. I did.
At the ceremony, China's Ambassador to the United States Cui Tiankai sent a video message saying, "Both sides are now forced to make important choices about what to do with their bilateral relations. I have to let him do it. "
After that, Chinese and Americans each formed a mixed pair and played a match, deepening exchanges in a peaceful atmosphere.
As the conflict between the United States and China deepens to the point of being called the "New Cold War," China seems to have the aim of creating a friendly mood through these events and improving relations.