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.