Ping-Pong exchange promotes understanding between future generations of China, US

"I think that our political leaders need that now as much, maybe more," he added.

The visiting Americans embraced the chance to fully immerse themselves in Chinese culture and gained a wide grasp of both nations' cultures. Many also made new friends among the Chinese students.

"I always found that one of the first ways that I would make friends was through sports," according to UVA sophomore Misa Layne, who was born in Beijing when her father was a diplomat in China.

"It is really inspiring to learn about the history of ping-pong and how ping-pong was so crucial in US-China relations at the start of it."

"This project allowed students from our three universities to engage in cross-cultural interaction. I learned a lot about my partner's views on the relations between China and the US and found she also hopes that the two nations can coexist peacefully," said Layne's partner, Zhong Yuhang, a student from Fudan University.

"If the general population of the two countries understands each other much better, then I could see how the governments would be more willing to cooperate later on in the future," said Paul McKissock, a third-year UVA student, who expressed his belief that what they are doing is crucial.

"Just as I did when I first came to China as a young person, they will have an impact just as individuals. I also think that they will talk to their friends and families about their China experience and about how warm and wonderful the people were. That will have an impact," said Reynolds.

Zheng Zheng contributed to this story.