Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan spoke via video at an event on April 24 in Beijing to mark the 50th anniversary of China-US "ping pong diplomacy". The People's Daily (April 25) reported him as saying that "ping-pong diplomacy" is a good story in the history of Sino-US relations. "Promoting the big ball with a small ball" started the historic process of normalization of Sino-US relations. Over the past 50 years, despite the ups and downs in Sino-US relations, the overall progress has been continuous, and cooperation in various fields has yielded fruitful results, bringing tangible benefits to the people of the two countries and promoting world prosperity and stability. Wang Qishan emphasised that, at present, Sino-US relations are at an important juncture. He said as the world's two largest economies and permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, China and the United States will benefit both from cooperation, while fighting will hurt both. Asserting that cooperation is the only correct choice for both parties, he urged both sides to follow the spirit of the call for cooperation made by the two heads of state on New Year's Eve. The event was co-sponsored by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), the State Sports General Administration, and the Chinese American People's Friendship Association. Former U.S. Secretary of State Kissinger and others delivered video speeches. More than 400 people who witnessed the "Ping Pong Diplomacy" of China and the United States attended the commemorative event online and offline.
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