Ping Pong game held to mark 30 years of China-US ties

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Source: CCTV.com | 01-08-2009 08:45

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US Deputy Secretary of State, John Negroponte, is in Beijing for activities marking the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-US diplomatic relations. A Ping Pong game and bilateral talks took place Wednesday to mark the anniversary.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wang Guangya (8th L) and U.S.  Deputy Secretary of State John D. Negroponte (6th L) pose  for a group photo during the Friendship Ping-pong Match  marking the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the  China-U.S. diplomatic relations, at the State General  Administration of Sport in Beijing, capital of China, Jan.  7, 2009. In 1971, a U.S. ping-pong team visited China  after years of estrangement and antagonism between the  two countries, opening the door for the China-U.S.  people-to-people contacts.(Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

This ping pong match is part of commemorations for the 30th anniversary of China-US diplomatic ties. This game brought memories back to those present, including US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte, of the "Ping Pong Diplomacy" more than 30 years ago. It was a Ping Pong match on April 13th 1971 that helped reopen the diplomatic channel between China and the US.

Foreign Minister, Yang Jiechi, held talks with John Negroponte later in the day. And Yang also made favorable comments about the bilateral ties between the two countries.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said, "Looking back, there have been some twists and turns in our relationship. But China-US relations have, on the whole, moved forward."