体坛英语资讯：Spotlight: Chinese, U.S. athletes serve up ping-pong diplomacy redux_娱乐

体坛英语资讯：Spotlight: Chinese, U.S. athletes serve up ping-pong diplomacy redux

In the midst of trade tensions between the United States and China, these young ambassadors of sport take on additional responsibilities.

"Being able to practice with Chinese team here in LA will definitely create closer relations between the U.S. and China and help strengthen diplomatic relations between our two countries. And that's a good thing," Crystal Wang, a member of the U.S. Women's Team and an Olympic hopeful for 2020, told Xinhua.

Ping Pong, or table tennis, has a unique and storied place in the diplomatic relations between the United States and China. In 1971, nine American table tennis players were invited to Beijing for exhibition games with Chinese players, helping break the ice between China and the United States and lay the groundwork for the eventual establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

"Everyone knows ping-pong diplomacy is how our two peoples were able to get reconnected and start the process of opening to each other," reminisced Chinese Consul General in Los Angeles Zhang Ping, as he addressed the assembled teams and spectators in John Wooden Center.

"And over the years, the China national team and players have carried on that ping-pong diplomacy legacy and traveled to many countries not only to compete, but in the spirit of friendship and to cultivate friendly relations with each other's peoples," he added.

Justifiably proud of China national team's achievements, the consul general applauded their extracurricular efforts off the court, "You are not only helping to train the American players, but also have the chance to mix with American society and let people know you are the friends of the American people."