Beijing Review: Icebreakers in China-U.S. ties share their priceless memories as ping-pong diplomacy turns 50 | Markets Insider

BEIJING , April 9, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — A news report by Beijing Review reporter Li Nan : Ring, ring... The ringing phone shattered the silence of the night, forcing Dell Sweeris to pick up the receiver groggily. It was midnight of April 6, 1971 , in Michigan , the United States , where he lived. His wife Connie was on the line. “I’m going to China ,” she said. The 20-year-old was in Japan as part of the American team, taking part in the 31st World Table Tennis Championships in Nagoya . At that time, the U.S. had no diplomatic…