Exchange Database
U.S. Table Tennis Team Visits China
A U.S. delegation of Ping Pong players left the 31st World Tennis Championship in Japan left for a trip to China, the first such civilian exchange since the U.S. and China closed off relations. This team included 15 Americans, led by Rufford Harrison. Members icluded Rufford Harrison, Tim Boggan, George Buben, Jack Howard, John Tannchill, Errol Resek, Glenn Cowan, George Braithwaite, Connie Sweeris, Judy Bochenski, and Olga Soltesz. Three American journalists also accompanied the team. The delegation traveled through Hong Kong to Peking, where they competed in matches against Chinese teams and met with Premier Chou Enlai in the Great Hall of the People. They also competed in Shanghai
Outcomes:
Expansion of "people-level" exchanges between China and the United States.
First instance of thawed relations between U.S. and China.
Source:
DAILY REPORT, FBIS-FRB-71-070 on 1971-04-12
Under the heading(s): INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS, COMMUNIST CHINA
[Page A3]
Government?:
No
Type of Exchange:
culture
diplomatic
education/science
Participants (Types):
U.S. National Ping Pong Team
Number of Participants:
18
Hyperlink 1:
Exchange Date:
Saturday, April 10, 1971 to Saturday, April 17, 1971
Continuing:
No
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