BUDAPEST, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Four Chinese table tennis players conducted a joint practice with their American counterparts in the main hall of the World Championships venue here on Friday, reminiscent of "Ping-Pong Diplomacy" initiated between the two nations almost half a century ago.
It also functioned as boosting move from two table tennis associations, as American city of Houston and China's Chengdu are in the bid for the 2021 and 2022 World Championships respectively.
Grand Slam winners Ma Long and Ding Ning were among Chinese paddlers facing American opponents across the net.
18-year-old Kanak Jha gave his appraisal about "fun and great experience" following his half-hour practice with Ma Long.
"It was a great honor to play Ma Long, obviously. He is the best player in the world. It's really fun, and great experience," said Jha.
"A little bit (nervous) in the beginning. He is one of my idols in table tennis," he added.
"The year of 2021 will mark the 50th anniversary of 'Ping-Pong Diplomacy' between the two nations, and 2022 will witness the 50th anniversary of Chinese team's visit to the United States. It's a good idea to connect table tennis and the friendship betwen the two countries," commeneted Liu Guoliang, the Chinese table tennis chief.
"United States have a lot of experience to be drawn in terms of its professional sports development. If we combine advantages from both sides, it will be of huge benefit to the overall development of table tennis across the globe," Liu pointed out.
"We are very happy to have the opportunity to have our players join the Chinese players who are the best in the world and playing together. We believe this is a special opportunity for us, and we have many things to learn from excellent Chinese players," said Dragomir Cioroslan, International Strategies and Development director of the United States Olympic Committee, adding that "Ping-Pong Diplomacy" played an important role in the history of the relationships between China and the United States, and in the history of the world.
"Almost 50 years later, we have the players practicing again. It's always about the players and relationship. This is really a wonderful symbolism for the whole spirit of 'Ping-Pong Diplomacy'," echoed Sheri Cioroslan, former president of the United States Table Tennis Association.
