Remembering ping-pong diplomacy 45 years after Chinese team's US tour

Zheng Huaiying (left) talks with Connie Sweeris. [Photo/Xinhua]

Recalling her crossing a bridge from Hong Kong and set foot in what Washington used to call "Communist China", Connie told Xinhua that she was anxious and even a little scared because she knew very little about China and its people before.

Moreover, Americans were not allowed by their administrations to visit China since 1949.

But when the American team finished their tour, Connie found "the Chinese players were very friendly and treated us with respect and kindness". They made friends with each other.

During their meeting this time in Michigan University, Connie Sweeris chatted warmly with her old friend Zheng Huaiying. The two showed each other the digital pictures of their children and grandchildren they keep in their cellphones.

Both the Chinese and US athletes were still very familiar with the old Chinese sports slogan "friendship first, competition second" as they staged their ping-pong skills in front of a large cheering crowd in the University of Michigan.

Along with the ping-pong hall of famers, some young Chinese champions also attended the events in New York, Chicago of Illinois and Michigan from Sept 15 to 19.

Wang Hao, Ding Ning, Yan Sen and Qiao Hong, all younger world ping-pong champions, were deeply touched when they heard the old generation of the Chinese and US players talking about what they experienced.

"It is really good to learn what happened some 45 years ago and how significantly the old generation of ping-pong players did for the Sino-American relationship." Wang Hao said.