On April 10, 2026, Vice President Han Zheng attended the event commemorating the 55th anniversary of China-U.S. Ping-Pong Diplomacy and the launch of the China-U.S. youth sports exchange series in Beijing, and read out a congratulatory letter from President Xi Jinping.

Han Zheng pointed out that in April 1971, the Ping-Pong Diplomacy between China and the U.S. opened the door to friendly exchanges between the two peoples and ushered in a new chapter in bilateral relations. The legendary story of “the small ball moving the big ball” transcended sports exchanges itself, exerting a profound influence on China-U.S. relations at the time and even the global landscape. 

Han Zheng stated that bilateral ties are currently at a critical juncture, and the strategic choices made by the two countries will once again influence the direction of the evolution of the world order. President Xi Jinping pointed out that China and the U.S. being partners and friends is both a lesson from history and a need of the present. Over the past 55 years, the China-U.S. relationship has weathered storms yet continued to move forward. Practice has proved that a stable, healthy and sustainable China-U.S. relationship serves the common interests of the two peoples and also meets the common expectations of the international community. Both sides should draw experience from history and use the important consensus reached by the two heads of state as a guide to uphold a respectful attitude towards each other, hold the bottom line of peaceful coexistence and strive for the prospects of win-win cooperation.

Han Zheng pointed out that friendship between peoples is the foundation of state-to-state relations, and people-to-people friendship can foster mutual trust between nations. 55 years ago, a small ball shattered the ice of estrangement. At present, more sincerity and concrete actions are needed to revitalize the spirit of Ping-Pong Diplomacy in the new era. Both sides should listen attentively to the voices of the two peoples, build bridges for bilateral people-to-people, local and youth exchanges and cooperation, and enable more people to become participants in, beneficiaries of, and supporters of China-U.S. friendship. Han Zheng expressed hope that U.S. teenagers participating in sports exchanges in China will bring curiosity and return with an objective understanding of China and a precious friendship with Chinese partners. He called for taking the ball as a medium to pass the torch from generation to generation, and jointly writing a new chapter of China-U.S. friendly exchanges.

During the commemorative event, Han Zheng  inaugurated the China-U.S. youth sports exchange series with guests from both countries, and engaged in interactive exchanges with participants of the historic Ping-Pong Diplomacy as well as representatives of ping-pong and flag football players.

Approximately 500 attendees, including participants in Ping-Pong Diplomacy, young ping-pong players, figures from the sports community, and American youth flag football athletes, participated in the commemorative event.