The Ping-Pong diplomacy: More Than just a game (Event)

The Ping-Pong diplomacy: More Than just a game

By, Kareem Alhady

April 13, 1971

Nagoya-- The American Table Tennis team arrived yesterday on a private jet looking ready to compete. They unloaded their bags at the Nagoya hotel and have been practicing their game a lot lately. On April 10th, the American team and their accompanying journalists became the first sports delegation to set foot in China’s capital since 1949.

One afternoon, an American table tennis player by the name of Glenn Cowan, missed his bus after practice in Nagoya during the 31st world T.T. Championship. As he searched for his bus, he noticed a Chinese man waving at him, signaling him to get on the bus. Once Cowan got on, he was greeted by the three-time world champion Zhuang Zedong, who gifted a silk-screen portrait of the Huagshan Mountains to him. In return, Cowan later bought Zedong a red, white, and blue peace sign shirt with the words, “Let IT Be”, written on it. The connection between our countries has gotten closer ever since this event.

Back in 1949, the United States created a policy of blockade towards the newly-born Peoples Republic of China because of the U.S. government that was overthrown. Eighteen years later in 1967, President Nixon stated, “We must not forget China. We must always seek opportunities to talk with her.” This got him to attempt to visit China and become friends with their people. So in his attempt, he asked the President of Pakistan to talk to the Chinese leaders and Chairman Mao was informed. After 5 long hours in 1961, Zedong’s old American friend Edgar snow was told to inform President Nixon on a possible visit to China. Two years later, the Table Tennis Championship which is happening around this time, was organized and began a friendship between China and the U.S.

Zhuang Zedong explained the incident on the bus, and he said that Glenn Cowan was a very friendly American who was upset when he couldn’t give a gift back to Zedong because he had nothing good with him. Zhuang states, “I was surprised when i saw my fellow friend Liang Geliang waving outside the bus until i saw the American walk in. At first, I was wondering why, then i decided to take a once in a life time opportunity to speak with a foreigner.” Zedong then later said that Cowan was like one of his brothers because of how friendly he was.

Shan Li, another wonderful Chinese Table Tennis star, was also ridding ton the same bus after a tiring day of practice. He was sitting in the front of the bus when the event happened. “It was a regular day after practice when all of the sudden, a big nosed American walked into our bus. He states that he had nothing with him to give to Zedong but he’s just a cheap foreigner.” said Lin.

Ping- Pong diplomacy: No more than just a game (Editorial)

Ping- Pong diplomacy: No more than just a game

After a long and tiring month, the U.S. ping-pong team returned home, with nothing more than just a few Chinese souvenirs. The U.S. and the Chinese communicated during the Table Tennis Championship, but it is no way enough to begin a friendship. It is dangerous to become friends with the Americans. They are full of technology and we are still living in the past. They will learn our weaknesses and attempt to take charge.

We have been attempting to move to a very modern China, but we are still behind America which is possibly known as the worlds strongest Country. If we, the people of China expect to base our friendship over a silly ping-pong game, we will face several conflicts. General Zhou Thang (leader of the Red Guards) states, “ A friendship is one that is enforced and occurs through a long period of time. One that is short and fake is destined to end.” The  Ping-Pong diplomacy did not present the people of both countries enough time to communicate with each other in attempt to start a powerful bond. The U.S. and the Chinese Table Tennis players exchanged gifts one time after a bus ride together, but other than that event, their were no other serious moments. The people of China should keep their safety high and stay independent until an event occurs to guaranty a successful friendship.

Although beginning a friendship between China and the U.S. because of this event would increase the possibilities for a successful future in the life of modern China, in the long run, it would only hurt us. We would be able to learn from the Westerners and practice their way of life. We would also be able to begin trading routes and receive valuables that were never known to us. Our friendship would be an outstanding boost to our goal for a Modern China, but the risk of attempting to build a connection with an extremely powerful country using a Table Tennis competition could cause China to become a wasteland. Wars could begin because of our great differences and many lives would be lost, a possibility we don’t want to face.

The friendship between our country and America should rely on a great event and not just a game. China should stay independent for the sake of our safety and it’s best for our people to play it safe then sorry. We’ve been living in our past for thousands of years and our attempt for Modern China could wait. The relationship between both our countries should be as close as the relationship with you and your family, that's why a Ping-Pong Championship is no more then a game.

Qing Dynasty and The Cultural Revolution’s Differences (Map)

Qing Dynasty and The Cultural Revolution’s Differences

The map of China represents the difference between China in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) and the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976). The map shows China shaded in with a tan color which is modern China and the boundaries during the Cultural Revolution. Mongolia which is shaded in with a peach color is one part of the Qing Dynasty. During the Qing Dynasty the boundaries were Modern China ( shaded in a tan color) and Mongolia to the north connected. The Qing emperor had conquered more land because of strenght in China, but as Modern China came in, the northern boundaries separated and Mongolia became a country. The only differences between Modern China and The Qing Dynasty is the land because more roads were built and the country had more building to move China to the future. The boundaries are the same other than Mongolia becoming it’s own country and the Capitals stayed at Biejing.

The Dairy of Mayan Huang

The Dairy of Mayan Huang

June 21, 1966: “OPEN UP!  I said, OPEN UP! Mayan Huang step outside this instant!” Those were the first couple sentences I heard that day. It was a search in passing. The door was knocked down and five Red Guards wearing green coats and  sowed on red sleeves walked in. The Sleeve said “Red Guards” possibly sown with gold thread. Standing high with their tools, they roamed through my house trashing everything in their search for the four olds. My walls were destroyed, my valuables were stolen, and my privacy was lost.

Its been two days since the search and my house is still trashed. With my kids in America because of the harsh life and my wife locked up because of a make believe crime that she wasn’t involved in, life is a living hell. I work all day and night with only small breaks in between. Were ever I go, I see the eyes of old friends roll away in attempt to ignore me. Since the Cultural Revolution, I’ve lost everything except my beliefs. Mao will never be my hero, and the opinions of others wont put me down. I’ve been beat a lot lately and have been called a black whelp at almost every day of work. Da-zi-bao has become the siding of my house and I'm forced to recite one every day. I’ve been humiliated for too long, but there is nothing I could do. Oh Allah, protect me from the beatings and have my wife return home shortly. Thank you.

June 27, 1966:  Dear Diary, I thought I had seen it all until today. I went to the new built market this afternoon and found a very nice pair of pants which I decided to purchase. I returned home and decided to see what they would feel like once I walked in them. The streets were full and a favorite restaurant of mine was closing so I decided to order there like from the older days. I walked in and that’s when it happened. I was grabbed and thrown against the wall, a bottle was shoved up my leg and that’s when i realized what was happening. My pants were being cut! It turns out that they were too tight and considered four olds. Could this world get any worse?

July 2, 1966: After a long walk in the park, I came across and very large wall with posters everywhere. I had never really payed attention to it before until now. Its known as The Propaganda Wall. The most important events are painted on and as for now, it’s a large painting of Chairman Mao. I returned home with my head down just thinking about unfair life. When will I see my kids again? How about my wife? Will I die alone? I guess I will never know what will happen in the future. I'm just hoping I’ll get through the present.

My Interview with Edgar Snow, A famous American Journalist

By XI MEITI Western Media Correspondent.
chinadailyshow.com   

My Interview with Edgar Snow,
 
A famous American Journalist  


Q. Hello Edgar, what is your profession and why did you decide to make it your Carrier?

A. Growing up in Kansas City and having a father who influenced my life in printing and editing, I grew a passion for writing and decided to spend the rest of my life doing what I love. I went to the University of Missouri, which is known to be the best journalism school in the country which helped me succeed in my Carrier.

Q. What event led up to you meeting China’s leader Mao Zedong and how did you become such close friends?

A. After writing so many books and articles about communism in China and the Chinese Communist Revolution, I began to get very interested in Mao Zedong’s work and ended up getting communications through the Underground Communist Network, which got me invited to Mao’s headquarters. This led up to my interview in Zedong, becoming the first western journalist to interview him. I wrote about him in my book, “Red Star Over China”, and after a long day of interviewing, we learned a lot about each other and became close friends.

Q. What is you most important book out of the many other ones that you wrote and what is it about?

A.  My most important book out of all the other ones is “ Red Star Over China”. This book is the most important because it informs people around the world about the guerrilla army, the important leaders in China, and about the daily life of Mao Zedong ( The Leader of The Cultural Revolution). I believe that “Red Star Over China”, is my most influential book.

Q. Thank you very much for answering all the questions, but I’ve heard that you’ve moved from the U.S. to China multiple times, how come?

A. Your welcome and the first time I moved to China was because of my dream to travel around the world. Once I reached Shanghai in 1928, I realized that I couldn’t continue my trip, so I stayed in China. After many years, I moved back to America to meet my first wife and then returned to China because of my job. After that, I was moving back and forth depending on the economy or whether the Country was safe from wars or not.

                                           

Mao Zedong: More than just a ruler

Mao Zedong: More than just a ruler

travelblog.org

boingboing.net

              Mao Zedong also known as Chairman Mao had many proficiencies. Not only did he know how to rule China into leaving the past behind and starting the new, he also wrote many books and calligraphy

Mao Zedong’s most important piece of literature that he wrote was the “Little Red Book”. This book listed the wise words of Chairman Mao and had many parts of his speeches or quotes. He published it in 1964 and it lasted until 1976. He enforced leaders and school principles to force the students to carry  The Little Red Book  everyday at school to help move China to the Future. This book helped the development of Communism through China and encouraged many people to do what was right. Mao’s important saying’s were now hand held and  The Little Red Book,  holds the record for the most copies printed.

Other than Mao’s important literature, he also enjoyed writing calligraphy and  was known as the master when writing it. He influenced a knew way of writing Chinese calligraphy known as Mao-style or Maoti which has  increased its popularity since his death. Another part of Chairman Mao’s writings that have gained popularity are his poems. His most famous poem which was written in 1936 is called “Snow”. In the first half of the poem,  Mao explains the beauty of northern China in the winter. The more important part was the second half when Mao lists some of the greatest Emperors in China, including Qin Shihuang who was the first Emperor of China, Han Wudi, the great Han emperor who defeated the Huns and the second Emperor of the Tang Dynasty ( Tang Taizong) were also listed, as much more. This shocked the people of China as Mao talked about the past and the dictators.

Mao led the people of China to the future, but as he did that he wrote magnificent literature, which influenced people into following his way of ruling.

The Little Red Book: Path to Modern China

boingboing.net

 Little Red Book:

 Path to Modern China


   

        During the Cultural Revolution, what more could be wanted then a book full of inspiring quotes. Not just any quotes, but the quotes of a master, known as Mao Zedong.

    
         It was the year of 1964 when Chairman Mao decided to write another of his many informative novels, but this one was different then all the others. This novel was one with the sayings to move China to the future. A book with parts of Mao’s speeches and inspirational quotes. A book that would help widen the teaches of communism.Without this book, China could of possibly been still stuck in the past and/or Chairman Mao wouldn’t of been able to have such a big impact on the lives of others.

   
         The Little Red Book didn't only affect the teachings in China, but it also affected the daily life on civilians. Kids who attended schools, were forced to bring this book with them everyday in order to show the respect to Mao and this book was meant to be guarded with your life.Quotes were recited almost everywhere you went and came in smaller sizes with only the most important sayings.Lives changed because of the growth of the communists and Mao gained more power. Without this invention, Mao would of taken much longer to get his word around and his quotes wouldn’t have been able to judge the actions of his people.Life would of been harder without his novel during the Cultural Revolution.