China-US ping-pong diplomacy 2.0 served up

A delegation of star table tennis players and coaches from China has begun a two-week training session in the United States with top players from Team USA, an event that organizers said will further enhance communication and friendship between athletes of the two countries.

"#Pingpong diplomacy has played a pivotal role in #ChinaUS relations. I wish our national#tabletennis team a good visit to the US to further the spirit of friendship and cooperation," Cui Tiankai, Chinese ambassador to the US, said on Twitter.

The 58-member delegation, led by Liu Guoliang - a table tennis legend and chairman of the Chinese Table Tennis Association - includes many distinguished players such as Olympic gold medalists Ma Long and Ding Ning, as well as former Olympic and world champions Ma Lin, Chen Qi, Wang Hao and Guo Yan.