[Polish MoFA] Ping Pong Diplomacy

Day 1,236, 15:51 • Published in China Poland • by Minister Spraw Zagranicznych


As we all probably know, ping-pong brought China countless honors and numerous championship titles. However, the role of the small balls are not limited to sport. Several decades ago, "ping-pong diplomacy" has accelerated the development of Sino-Japanese relations, and then made a hole in the wall separating the Chinese diplomats from Americans. This year, we have the 40th anniversary of start of the 'ping-pong diplomacy' between China and the U.S.

The former world Ping-Pong champion Zhuan Zedong told one journalist:

"Ping-pong diplomacy between China and the U.S. began from my contact with Glenn Cowan. Consequently, a very complicated political struggle was easily solved.China has opened the door not only to U.S. but also to the whole world. This gavea basis for reform policy and opening up China to the world. "

During the XXI World Table Tennis Cup in Nagoya Japan in 1971, Chinese Ping-Pong player Zhuan Zedong gave the American sportsman Glenn Cowan a gift. Cowan also requited with a gift, which immediately attracted the attention of world media. In the same year, the U.S. ping pong team visited China , at the invitation of the Chinese. American Ping-Pong players got a very warm welcome as guests of Chinese people. This event became a prologue to the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the U.S. The following year, U.S. President of that time, Richard Nixon arrived China to pay the official visit, and both parties published the Joint Communicate of Shanghai, which was the beginning of Sino-American relations' normalization.

Now we have year 2011, April the 10th. In the anniversary of start of the diplomacy between China and the U.S. and after a long period of stagnation in the Sino-Polish relations , a new Ministry of Foreign Affairs stretch out the hand in the direction of our friends. China is our longtime ally from Eden period. The cooperation between the Poland and the most influential east-Asia nation should bring innumerable benefits to both sides.

The official appointed Polish ambassador to China is MrGrandma, former MoFA, well-known player with very big experience.

We hope that the cooperation between China and the Poland is possible and thestart of diplomatic talks between the countries is only a matter of time.

Signed,

Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs