President Yang Attends the Colloquium “Shanghai Commemorates the 50th Anniversary of Ping Pong Diplomacy.”
On April 30th 2021, President of Shanghai Institute for International Strategic Studies (SIISS) Yang Jiemian was invited to attend the Colloquium “Shanghai Commemorates the 50th Anniversary pf Ping Pong Diplomacy”, which was hosted by Shanghai People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Shanghai Sports Federation, Shanghai University of Sport, and Shanghai Institute of American Studies.
US Consul General in Shanghai James Heller and Chancellor of Shanghai University of Sports Li Yin gave their opening remarks. Honorary Life President of International Table Tennis Federation Xu Yinsheng and Honorary Life President of Asian Table Tennis Union Li Furong gave their keynote speeches. Vice President of National Committee on US-China Relations Jan Berris shared her keynote speech through video.
All three speaker experienced the Ping Pong Diplomacy in persons 50 years ago. They recalled the strategic decisions and practical guidance of Chairman Mao Zedong, Premier Zhou Enlai, and President Nixon, as well as the touching scenes of mutual friendship between US and Chinese people with real sentiments. The speakers also jointly emphasized the profound meaning of the slogan “Friendship First, Competition Second”, and its inspiration on current US-China Relation.
Mr. Sha Hailin, President of Shanghai People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries presented letters of thanks to the keynote speakers afterwards.
President Yang, as a panelist, exchanged views on topics like civil communication between US and China with Michael Rosenthal, Founder of Investment & Economic Enterprises Business Community, Jeffery Lehman, Vice Chancellor of New York University Shanghai, Jonathan Woetzel, Senior Partner of Mckinsey & Company. President Yang also made brilliant responses to the audience’s questions.
