Thirty-five years after "the ping heard round the world," members of the U.S. ping-pong team that visited China in 1971 are in Beijing on a friendship tour.
Jack Howard, who was captain of the U.S. table tennis team at the time, said he was glad of a chance to ask Li Furong how he made his killer smash in their game so long ago.
"His attack was amazing and, at that time, I didn't see the ball at all," joked the 72-year-old from California.
Howard and six other members of the original 15-member U.S. delegation are visiting China from Monday until April 4 to mark the 35th anniversary of the renowned "ping-pong diplomacy" that opened up Sino-U.S. relations after 20 years of hostility.
"Everything has changed in China, but the friendship between the two nations will not change," said Howard during a reception in Beijing Monday, China Daily reported.
The delegation will participate in a friendly tournament with Chinese players in Beijing Wednesday and then leave for Shanghai and other cities for more matches.
"The tour has sparked our memories and makes me remember the days when the little ball changed the world," said U.S. team member Tim Boggan.
© Copyright 2006 by United Press International
