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Editorial | Onus on Washington to revive the spirit of ping pong diplomacy
- Working with Beijing rather than against it will bring mutual benefit and help resolve the world’s challenges
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The idea that sport can make enemies friends seems fanciful. But 50 years ago, a Chinese invitation to the American table tennis team to visit was all it took to unleash a flurry of diplomatic activity that culminated in the establishment of ties in 1979. The strategy has become known as “ping pong diplomacy” and is based on the notion that the interaction of ordinary people between countries can break down barriers. With relations between Beijing and Washington again frigid, it is what is needed to help steer the world’s two top powers back on track.
Beijing has such resolve; marking the April 10 anniversary of the arrival of the American team through Hong Kong, the Chinese ambassador to the United States, Cui Tiankai, called for a revival of “the ping pong diplomacy spirit of mutual respect and seeking common ground while reserving differences”. He made reference to late leader Mao Zedong’s famous quote of how the “little ball moved the big ball”, a metaphor for how a mere ping pong ball was able to move the earth and open China to the world. His conclusion had been that China’s isolation and estrangement from the US were ultimately bad for the nation. A public show of friendship was perceived as the best way to start the process and the invitation to the American table tennis team, then playing at the world championships in Nagoya in Japan, was the opportunity.
The timing was right; the US was also looking to improve ties. In 1971, Washington did not recognise the People’s Republic of China and Americans were not allowed to travel there. But then-US president Richard Nixon had written that “China needs to be brought into the world community”. And when the invitation to the team was given, the six-day visit was promptly sanctioned. Secret meetings followed and by the start of 1972, Beijing had been admitted to the United Nations and Nixon made his historic trip in February and official relations were established by the end of the decade.
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But ties have since plummeted and China has been marked as the US’ top economic, military and technological rival. The latest provocative moves by President Joe Biden’s administration are stepped-up naval operations in the region and last week, the announcement of new diplomatic guidelines that will deepen relations with Taiwan by enabling American officials to meet more freely with Taiwanese counterparts. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has warned Beijing against “aggressive” actions against Taipei. The US has set a foolish course. Working with Beijing rather than against it will bring mutual benefit and help resolve the world’s challenges. There is every need for a return of the spirit of ping pong diplomacy.
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