Ping-Pong Diplomacy Celebration: Musical Performance & Exhibition Table Tennis Games

After more than two decades of political disassociation between the U.S. and China, the 1972 Chinese Ping Pong delegation visited Ann Arbor at the invitation of the University of Michigan. This activity helped begin formal communication and relations between our nations and later became known as Ping Pong Diplomacy. 

 

Today, the U.S. and China have a strong bilateral relationship, and this relationship is, with certainty, the most important geopolitical relationship on the planet. One of many emblems of our strong relationship is the thousands of Chinese students, visiting scholars, faculty, and staff that Michigan proudly welcomes to campus each year. They contribute immensely to our campus learning community. Michigan also sends numerous students, faculty, and staff to China each year to participate in dozens of programs, including Joint Institutes we have with Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Peking University Health Science Center. 

 

In celebration of the 45th anniversary of Ping Pong Diplomacy, the University of Michigan is excited to host an evening highlighting the history, impact, and a continued dedication to a solid relationship between Michigan and China. We hope you’ll join us for a community event including remarks from distinguished guests, a musical performance, and several exciting table tennis games. 

 

Musical Performance by Silk Cedar Band 

 

Table Tennis Players: 

LIANG Geliang 梁戈亮, male, member of '72 team 

ZHENG Huaiying 郑怀颖, female, member of '72 team 

WANG Hao 王皓, male, retired in 2014, multiple time world champion 

YAN Sen 阎森, male, retired in 2006, Olympic gold medalist (2000) 

DING Ning 丁宁, female, current Chinese team captain 

QIAO Hong 乔红，female, retired in 1996, Olympic gold medalist (1992, 1996) 

Connie Sweeris, female, member of '72 US team 

Dell Sweeris, male, member of '72 US team 

 

This event is co-sponsored by the the U-M Association of Chinese Professors, the U-M Confucius Institute, the Office of Research, the Lieberthal - Rogel Center for Chinese Studies, the Office of University Development, the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation, and the Chinese Table Tennis Association.