On April 10, the Opening Ceremony of the Shanghai Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of China-US Ping Pong Diplomacy was held in Shanghai. Ambassador Cui Tiankai delivered video remarks at the event. Participants of the Opening Ceremony included Sha Hailin, President of Shanghai People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries; Jiang Jiang, Vice President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries; Xu Yinsheng, Honorary President of the International Table Tennis Federation; Consul General of the US in Shanghai James Heller.

In his remarks, Ambassador Cui said, the Ping Pong Diplomacy of 50 years ago is of special significance in the history of China-US relations. It opened up a creative and unique way of communication between the two peoples, who had been separated for decades, and sent a signal to both countries and the world that China and the United States would improve their relations, thus ushering in a series of major events from President Nixon's visit to China to the establishment of China-US diplomatic relations. Today, the China-US relationship faces a critical choice as to its future path. The two sides should inherit and carry forward the spirit of Ping Pong Diplomacy featuring mutual respect and seeking common ground while reserving differences, follow the guidance of the phone call between President Xi Jinping and President Joe Biden, firmly stay in the right direction of the bilateral relations, objectively view each other's strategic intentions, and make cooperation a common choice for China and the United States, so as to ensure sustained and steady progress of our relations.

Ambassador Cui said, this year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China as well as the first year in the implementation of the 14th Five-Year Plan. This year, we will also embark on a new journey toward fully building a modern socialist country. The people's aspiration for a better life has always been the goal of our unremitting work. To build a community with a shared future for mankind together with all peoples, including the American people, is our constant pursuit. China is willing and ready to work with the US side in the Ping Pong spirit of mutual respect, friendship and win-win, with a view to helping each other to achieve greater success through mutually beneficial cooperation and healthy competition.

President Sha Hailin said, Ping Pong Diplomacy took China and the US from separation to engagement and from confrontation to communication. Shanghai and the US have maintained longstanding bonds, keeping close economic ties and active people-to-people exchanges since Shanghai became a treaty port. China-US cooperation is the common aspiration of the two peoples. It is believed that this event will further boost the friendly relations between our people, deepen mutual understanding and promote people-to-people exchanges.

After the opening ceremony, four mixed teams made up of 26 Chinese and American friends and sport fans held a friendly match. The Shanghai Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of China-US Ping Pong Diplomacy was hosted by Shanghai People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and includes such events as China-US Ping-Pong Exchange Photo Exhibition, a special report meeting and a seminar on the 50th Anniversary of China-US Ping-Pong Diplomacy.