Peking University, April 17, 2026: Peking University (PKU) welcomed a veteran U.S. table tennis delegation on April 8 to commemorate the historic table tennis exchanges between China and the United States 55 years ago, which helped pave the way for the normalization of bilateral relations. The event featured a nostalgic roundtable discussion and a lively table tennis match.
The delegation, led by Dell Sweeris — a former U.S. table tennis player who participated in the reception of the visiting Chinese team in 1972 — included Petra Sorling, President of the International Table Tennis Federation, Jan Berris, Vice President of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, Donna de Varona, member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Women and Sport Commission, Virginia Sung, CEO at USA Table Tennis as well as several U.S. table tennis veterans.
The delegation was received at Linhuxuan by PKU President Gong Qihuang, who attached great significance to the 55th anniversary of "ping pong diplomacy" in his welcoming remarks. He also shared PKU's emphasis on character building and cultural exchange through sports, expressing his great hope for youth participation as a pillar of future exchanges and cooperation.
In response, Mr. Sweeris, on behalf of the delegation, thanked PKU and the organizers' efforts in arranging this visit. He recalled fondly his experience interacting with PKU faculty and students during a commemorative event in 2023.
"Table tennis is not just a sport; it builds friendship between people," said Mr. Sweeris, "and by extension also between nations."
A group photo at Linhuxuan [Photo by Guo Mengjiao]
At the roundtable discussion that followed, the U.S. delegation and their Chinese counterparts shared their experiences related to ping-pong diplomacy, putting into sharp relief the role of sports in uniting people. The discussion was moderated by Liu Wei, table tennis world champion and presently a PKU faculty member.
The U.S. delegation and their Chinese counterparts had a lively roundtable discussion. [Photo by Liu Yan]
Following the discussion, the exchange continued at Khoo Teck Puat Sports Complex, where veteran players, PKU table tennis students, and American players had a series of friendly matches.
A friendly table tennis match [Photo by Liu Yan]
Veteran players showcased their precise control and strategic play, while student athletes from both sides demonstrated speed and agility. The contrast between the two styles thrilled the audience throughout, drawing enthusiastic applause with each point.
After veteran and student players gathered for a group photo, the event concluded with a shared sense of camaraderie—passed down through generations and renewed across the table.
A group photo of the U.S. delegation, Chinese table tennis veterans, PKU faculty, and U.S. and PKU students. [Photo by Liu Yan]
Reported and written by: Ashley Leung Edited by: Chen Shizhuo
