Ping-Pong Diplomacy chalks up 50 years

"Even today, I'm still called by news agencies to do interviews," she said.

She added that during the China trip, the US participants repeatedly heard the term, "Friendship first, competition second."

"This applied to the table tennis and also to the larger picture of what the trip symbolized for the two countries," she said.

Hoarfrost added that the local players who toured with them in China were happy to spend a long time answering questions and explaining their culture, politics and way of life. She also learned some Chinese phrases and songs.

Yao Zhenxu, 74, who played Glen Cowan from the US in Shanghai in 1971, was invited to the anniversary event.

He said Cowan was frequently hyperactive during the visit. "Because he dressed differently－like a hippy－he was often surrounded by many people. He also asked for Zhou Enlai's thoughts about hippies," said Yao, a former player with the national team.

In 1972, Zheng Minzhi was a member of the Chinese table tennis delegation that visited the US.