On November 30, 2021, Consul General Wang Donghua delivered an online speech to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Ping-Pong Diplomacy between China and the United States. The full text is as follows:
Hon. Ms. Victoria Woodards, Mayor of Tacoma,
Hon. Mr. Dick Muri, Mayor of Steilacoom,
Mr. Patrick Erwin, Principal of Lincoln High School,
Teachers and students, guests, friends, ladies and gentlemen,
It is my great pleasure to join you online today in celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Ping-Pong Diplomacy. On behalf of the Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco, I wish to express high appreciation to the Lincoln High School and Principal Patrick Erwin for their great efforts to put us together to renew the shared aspiration to strengthen the friendship between the people of our two countries.
The accidental exchange of goodwill between Chinese and American ping-pong players in Japan 50 years ago was a real reflection of the common desire of our two peoples to resume normal contacts and exchanges between our two countries. The Ping-Pong Diplomacy served as a prelude to the normalization of China-US relations, and opened a new chapter of friendly exchanges between our two peoples. Thereafter, Dr. Kissinger paid a secret visit to Beijing in 1971 and President Nixon visited China in 1972, leading to the establishment of the diplomatic ties between our two countries in 1979. Over the last 50 years, China-US relations have made great strides despite ups and downs, delivering enormous benefits to our two peoples and contributing greatly to the world peace and prosperity. The 50 years of China-US relationship show that cooperation is better than confrontation, and a sound China-US relationship is in the fundamental interests of our two countries and common interests of all countries. The ping-pong diplomacy has left us a legacy of choosing friendship over hostility, engagement over seclusion, and cooperation over confrontation. This legacy has inspired many people from both countries to make continued contribution to closer ties between our two countries over the years. While paying tribute to the elder generation of Chinese and American leaders for their strategic vision and political wisdom, we should also remember generations of the Chinese and American leaders for their strategic vision and political wisdom, we should also remember generations of the Chinese and American people for their dedication and contribution to promoting China-US relations, The Lincoln High is one of those that deserve our commendations in this regard.
6 years ago, President Xi and Prof. Peng visited Seattle, where they were warmly received by the then Mayor of Tacoma and incumbent Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland, Principal Patrick and teachers and students of the Lincoln High. During their visit to the Lincoln High, they presented ping-pong balls and tables, and books about China to the school, and encouraged the students to build a bridge for people-to-people exchanges between China and the US. At their invitation, many students of the Lincoln High have visited China, enabling them to know more about China and make friends in China. No matter what career the students pursue in the future, I am sure that they will benefit from their exchanges with China, and will find the mutual understanding is very important for their future life and China-US relationship.
The China-US relationship has encountered serious difficulties, as a result of the wrong China policy adopted on the basis of misperception of China, which have inflicted untold pains on the people in both countries. The impacts of such policy will continue as long as the policy continues. This is not in line with the fundamental interests of our two countries nor in line with the common interests of all countries. The last 50 years of China-US relations show that China and the US stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. As the top two economies and permanent members of the UN Security Council, China and the US need to increase communication and cooperation, and work together to advance their domestic growth and the noble cause of world peace and development. Now China-US relationship is at a critical juncture, and no efforts should be spared to get the relationship right before more damage is done.
President Xi and President Biden had a candid, constructive, substantive and productive virtual meeting two weeks ago. They had thorough and in-depth exchanges on issues of strategic, over-arching and fundamental significance for the bilateral relations, and reached important consensus, which has set the direction and provided impetus for China-US relations. President Xi pointed out, the most important event in international relations over the last 50 years was the reopening and development of China-US relations, and the most important event in the coming 50 years will be for China and the US to find the right way to get along well. For our two countries to get along, three principles, namely mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, should be followed. President Biden recognized the importance of China-US relationship, echoed President Xi’s comments by saying that they should make the relationship work and not mess it up, and reaffirmed that the US is willing to work with China on the basis of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence, increase communication, reduce misperception, and handle difference constructively. China is ready to work with the US to follow through on the consensus of our two Presidents, and develop a China-US relationship based on mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation.
Young people like you students are the future of our two countries and the future of China-US relations. Whatever you do in your life journey, be it in politics, sports, trade, IT, scientific research, medical science or teaching, you will have a unique role to play in reshaping the future of China-US relationship. I encourage you to work with young people in China to carry forward the legacy of the ping-pong diplomacy, build more bridges of friendship between our two peoples, and contribute to a better China-US relationship and a better world.
Wish you all health, happiness and success in your study and future endeavors.