On the evening of December 13th, 2023, China’s Embassy in the United States held a commemoration of the 52nd anniversary of China-US Ping-Pong Diplomacy. Ambassador Xie Feng attended and delivered a speech. Fang Fang, Vice President of Peking University, Qiao Luoslan, Director of the International Department of the United States International Olympic Committee, Bai Lijuan, Vice President of the National Committee on US-China Relations, Charles, President of the American Table Tennis Association, and more than 300 guests from all walks of life in the United States attended.
谢锋大使首先欢迎北京大学乒乓球代表团访问华盛顿并举行友谊赛，向出席活动的“乒乓外交”参与者和亲历者代表康妮·史维利斯和戴尔·史维利斯夫妇、白莉娟女士、史伯明先生致敬，向长期关心支持中美关系发展的各界朋友表示衷心感谢。
谢锋表示，半个世纪过去了，“乒乓外交”的历史经验和指导意义历久弥新，继续给我们以启迪。
一是把握大势，坚持战略引领。52年前，在冷战阴霾下，两国领导人以非凡的战略眼光、政治勇气和外交智慧，通过“小球转动大球”，打开中美重新交往大门，拉开中美关系正常化序幕，撬动了国际格局变化，影响了世界历史走向。一个月前，习近平主席同拜登总统在旧金山举行历史性会晤，探讨新时期中美正确相处之道，开辟面向未来的“旧金山愿景”。习近平主席提出的“五个共同”为中美关系稳定发展浇筑起五根支柱。会晤巩固了中美关系止跌企稳势头，为变乱交织的世界注入了难得的确定性稳定性，受到两国和国际社会普遍欢迎。
二是厚植民心，推进人文交流。中美都是伟大的国家，两国人民善良友好、勤劳务实，彼此抱有强烈好感和浓厚兴趣。一个月前，习近平主席在旧金山美国友好欢迎宴会上发表演讲，深情讲述与美国民众交往的友好故事，强调中美关系的根基是由人民浇筑的、大门是由人民打开的、故事是由人民书写的、未来是由人民创造的，引发两国民众强烈共鸣。
三是相互尊重，发扬体育精神。在“乒乓外交”的带动下，体育成为中美民心相通的桥梁和纽带。体育崇尚进取，追求卓越，又要求相互尊重、彼此欣赏、取长补短、共同提高。体育必须遵守规则，公平竞争，而不能挖坑使绊，既当裁判员、又当运动员；不能只许自己挥拍，却捆绑对方手脚，甚至连上场机会都不给对方；应该集中精力提升自我，而不是挖空心思拉低对方；应该捉对比拼，而不能拉帮结伙打群架；应该开放包容，超越差异，场上是对手，场下仍应是朋友。
Xie Feng emphasized that Sino-US relations are at a new crossroads. The times call on us to draw wisdom and strength from "ping-pong diplomacy", so as to stabilize and improve Sino-US relations, achieve healthy, stable and sustainable development, and reassure the two peoples and the world. It is necessary to realize the "re-melting" of relations between the two countries. I hope that the United States will work with China to establish a correct understanding, start from scratch, start today, practice mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, win-win cooperation, and suppress the negative narrative of zero-sum game with successful stories of mutually beneficial cooperation. It is necessary to promote "re-contact" between the two peoples. Covid-19 hinders face-to-face communication, and trade wars and science and technology wars will only lead to confrontation and conflict. Contact and dialogue can avoid misjudgment, gradually get out of the predicament and rebuild mutual trust. We should support the people of the two countries to move more, communicate more and hold hands more. It is necessary to promote the "re-starting" of Sino-US relations. The San Francisco meeting is not the end, but a new starting point. It is imperative to do a good job in follow-up work and strengthen the management of the whole process, especially to implement the consensus of the meeting between the two heads of state to the letter, so that the "San Francisco Vision" can shine into reality and benefit the two countries and the world. We expect the US to move in the opposite direction with China, take actions, especially to prevent repetition, not to take a step further or even a step back, and not to set up new obstacles for bilateral relations.
Joe Rossland, director of the International Department of the United States International Olympic Committee, said that ping-pong diplomacy embodies the power of sports, is the common language of people all over the world, can cross national boundaries, transcend barriers, and reflect the goodwill and good wishes among people. Let’s cultivate friendship, build mutual trust and unite to contribute to world peace.
In 1972, Ms. Bai Lijuan, who received the China table tennis team’s return visit to the United States, said that the American table tennis team’s visit to China in 1971 was not only a turning point in my life, but also a turning point in Sino-US relations. The historical experience of "ping-pong diplomacy" proves that although the United States and China have different cultural traditions and social systems, they can fully respect each other and live in peace.
Charles, president of the American Table Tennis Association, said that table tennis is an important bridge for exchanges between Chinese and American people, and he thanked the Sweellis for their important role in promoting table tennis in the United States and promoting Sino-US friendship.
Mr. and Mrs. Svellis, members of the American table tennis team who participated in the "Ping-Pong Diplomacy" personally, shared their experiences and feelings, saying that they once thought that China athletes were distant legends, but they became close friends after getting along, and the people of the United States and China could become friends completely, instead of enemies. I hope that the younger generation will inherit the spirit of "ping pong diplomacy", strengthen communication and exchange, and grow and progress together.
After the speech, China and the United States formed a mixed team to hold a friendly match to relive history and renew friendship together. Ambassador Xie Feng and Ms. Connie Smiles kicked off the exhibition match. World champions Liu Wei, Ding Ning, etc. had a discussion with American table tennis fans, vividly interpreting the spirit of "table tennis diplomacy" of "friendship first, competition second", and the contestants’ wonderful performances drew applause from the audience.
The Embassy in the United States also specially prepared a cake commemorating the 52nd anniversary of Ping-Pong Diplomacy. Ambassador Xie Feng cut the cake and shared delicious food with the guests attending the event.
The guests talked about exchanges and shared friendship, unanimously spoke highly of the historical significance of "ping-pong diplomacy" and expressed their willingness to contribute to enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples and promoting the healthy and stable development of Sino-US relations.
