Members of the American delegation take part in a colloquium commemorating the 35th anniversary of the history-making Ping-Pong Diplomacy, March 27, 2006. The 25-member delegation of the United States will participate in a series of commemorations during the ten-day visit.(Xinhua Photo)

Former coach of China's national table tennis team Zhang Xielin (L) gives speech during a colloquium commemorating the 35th anniversary of the history-making Ping-Pong Diplomacy, March 27, 2006.  (Xinhua Photo)

Former coach of China's national table tennis team Zhang Xielin (R2) talks with a member of the American delegation during a colloquium commemorating the 35th anniversary of the history-making Ping-Pong Diplomacy, March 27, 2006.(Xinhua Photo)

US delegation visits China for Ping-Pong Diplomacy anniversary

A 25-member delegation of the United States will start its ten-day visit to China on Sunday to mark the 35th anniversary of the historic Ping-Pong Diplomacy.

The American delegation, led by Sheri Soderberg Pittman, President of USA Table Tennis, the country's governing body of the sport, will travel to three Chinese cities, including the capital Beijing, economic hub Sh anghai and Changshu of Jiangsu province, east of China.

Seven eyewitnesses of the Ping-Pong Diplomacy will join the delegation which also includes active and retired players and coaches.

During the visit slated from March 26 to April 4, a series of events will be held to observe the 35th anniversary and further the friendships between China and the United States.

In 1971, the Ping-Pong Diplomacy, as it is widely known today, broke the ice in two decades of estranged Sino-US relations and eventually led to the normalization of bilateral ties.

Editor: Yan