Ping-pong diplomacy may have led to the lifting of the 'bamboo curtain' but, as far the sports itself goes, China makes it pretty much a one-way affair.
In fact, China has dominated international table tennis over the last three years, having regained its hold after a brief European reign.
At this year's world championships in Manchester, the Chinese were only one short of repeating their all-conquering display from the 1995 tournament in Tianjin, when they lifted all seven titles.
Sweden's veteran champion, Jan-Ove Waldner, denied China a second successive clean sweep by winning the men's singles.
However, Chinese players won the remaining six events.
Diminutive Deng Yaping, the 'pocket battleship' and Olympic gold medallist, captured the women's singles title, beating compatriot Li Ju in four games.
Deng also played an important role in helping China win the women's team event, a 3-0 victory over North Korea. Led by 1995 world champion and Olympic gold medallist Kong Linghui, China also won the men's team title with a 3-1 triumph over France.
