Highlights of Connie Sweeris's speech at Vision China

Connie Sweeris, a player behind the ice-breaking "ping-pong diplomacy" of the 1970s, shared her perspectives on the role of people-to-people exchanges played in boosting the relations between the two countries at the 8th Vision China event in New York.

She encouraged people to play a part in the relationship, just like she did with sports and cultural exchanges.

"We need to be ambassadors for peace," she said.

The forum, "China-US Relations: 40 Years & Beyond", hosted by China Daily and Bank of China, featured commentary by experts involved in Sino-American relations.