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At the invitation of the Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace Foundation, CPAFFC Vice President Li Xiaolin led a delegation to attend the China-US Table Tennis Tournament and the Exhibition of Ping Pong Diplomacy jointly sponsored by the Nixon Library & Birthplace Foundation, the CPAFFC and the USA Table Tennis (USATT) from June 10 to 12. These activities were held in Yorba Linda of California, the birthplace of President Nixon where his library is located to commemorate the 37th anniversary of the Ping Pong Diplomacy between China and the United States, and to serve as a prelude to the Beijing Olympic Games and the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the U.S. Members of the delegation included Liang Geliang, former table tennis world champion and witness to the Ping Pong Diplomacy, Qiao Yunping and Zhang Lei, former world champions, and Song Shichao, young player of Chinas National Table Tennis Team II. The main activities were the opening ceremony and the official celebration dinner gala on June 10, Chinese and US national players giving table tennis lessons to school-age players and amateurs on June 11, and the China-US Table Tennis Tournament—Ping Pong Diplomacy: The Rematch, and the closing ceremony on June 12. Over 500 people from various circles including the media of both countries attended these activities. Huang Xiaojian, acting consul general of the Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles, was present at The Rematch and the closing ceremony and hosted a banquet in honour of the Chinese and US participants on June 11. Deputy Consul General Xu Chaoyou attended the opening ceremony and the celebration dinner gala. Before The Rematch, local Chinese community performed unique Chinese dances—waist drum dance and lion dance.

Reviewing the history and looking into the future. CPAFFC Vice President Li Xiaolin, Acting Chinese Consul General Huang Xiaojian, Deputy Chinese Consul General Xu Chaoyou, Kris Elftmann and John H. Taylor, chairman of the Board of Directors and executive director of the Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace Foundation, and Michael D. Cavanaugh, interim CEO of USATT, spoke at relevant activities. Gen. Brent Scowcroft, former US national security adviser, made a key-note speech at the dinner gala. CPAFFC Vice President Li Xiaolin said in her speech at the opening ceremony, the Ping Pong Diplomacy opened the door to China-US relations. The holding of the present table tennis tournament not only shows the friendship between our two peoples, but also highlights the importance of the historic event. In 1971, thanks to the wise decision and careful arrangements made by the Chinese and US leaders, the US Table Tennis Team became the first batch of Americans to visit China after the founding of new China, a historic breakthrough in the development of Sino-US relations, which helped bring about President Nixons visit to China in 1972 and eventually led to the normalization of relations between China and the United States. This was a great undertaking of people-to-people diplomacy; the small balls rolled the big ball (the globe). History has proved that the sound development of Sino-US relations is of vital importance to the governments and peoples of the two countries. She expressed the hope that this tournament would enable people to relive the athletic concept of “friendship first, competition second”.

Gen. Scowcroft recalled his experiences of accompanying President Nixon on his visit to China. He stressed, the significance of Ping Pong Diplomacy lies in bringing the United States and China to sit for dialogue in the Cold War years. It was such dialogue that brought major improvement in bilateral relations after decades of estrangement. There have been six successions to the US presidency since President Nixons visit to China. Whether republicans or democrats, they have always adhered to US China policy. Today, the U. S. and China are interdependent economically and carry out bilateral cooperation in international affairs on an unprecedented scale.

Executive Director Taylor likened the relationship between the two big countries, the U.S. and China, to a great athletic contest that is fraught with tension, disappointment, and triumph. He said: “Besides reminding people how this vital new relationship began, The Rematch will be further evidence of how healthy state-to-state relations should always be founded in thriving people-to-people relations.”

Friendship first, competition second. The Rematch consisting of four single matches held on the morning of June 12 pushed the commemorative activities to a climax. First Qiao Yunping played Tawny Banh. Then, Song Shichao engaged Mark Hazinski, which was followed by Zhang Lei versus Khoa Nguyen, and finally the match between Liang Geliang and George Braithwaite, the original Chinese and American team members in 1971. In the end the Chinese team had three victories against one loss. While engaging in a keen competition, the Chinese and American players did not forget to arouse the enthusiasm of the spectators and add the appreciativeness to the scene. The excellent performance of looping by both sides was a feast for the eyes for hundreds of spectators. Liang Geliang engaged Braithwaite again after 37 years. Both played with great concentration. Their superb skills brought waves of enthusiastic applause from the spectators. The Rematch was filled with an atmosphere of the main theme “friendship first, competition second”.

When interviewed, Liang Geliang said, we came here to commemorate the great feat of the Ping Pong Diplomacy. Without the wise decision of the leaders of the two countries, there would be no Ping Pong Diplomacy, and it would be very difficult to open the door to establishing Sino-US diplomatic relations. Comparing with 30 years ago, the Chinese and American people feel much closer to each other. Now we are old friends. He expressed the hope that the athletes of both countries would display their talent and achieve excellent results in the coming Beijing Olympic Games.

Braithwaite said, he was very proud that he had been a member of the US Table Tennis Team to visit China then. The hospitality of the Chinese people left a deep impression on him. In 2001, he visited Guangzhou together with other American table tennis players. Chinas economic development was amazing. He hoped to have the opportunity to visit China again and together with Liang Geliang enjoy once again the happiness to bring pleasure to people through playing table tennis.

Executive Director Taylor said after The Rematch, winning or losing is not crucial. As long as the American and Chinese players display their skills and exchange their friendship in the matches, especially at this years Olympic Games, there will be no loser. Every one will come out a winner. This is the message that Ping Pong Diplomacy of 1971 has spread and so will the 2008 Beijing Olympics.