TTT31. Summer 2023

Ping Pong Diplomacy
By Harvey Webb
Back in 2021 the Chinese Embassy in London planned a celebration to commemorate the 50 th anniversary of
the historic visit to China by England’s table tennis team.
The Covid pandemic meant that the celebration was postponed. This has now happened some two years later
on 12 th June 2023 when Alan Hydes, one of the original England team members, was invited by the Embassy
to meet Minister Counsellor Bi Haibo and Press & Public Affairs Attaché Wang Ping.
Alan invited Harvey Webb to join him as the Swaythling Club International representative.
Alan Hydes, Bi Haibo, Harvey Webb at the Chinese Embassy, London
The meeting was very convivial and Bi Haibo expressed the importance of keeping the story of Ping Pong
Diplomacy alive and recounted how he had learnt about it at junior school. Alan added some fascinating stories
especially recalling how welcome the Chinese people had made them all feel.
The meeting also touched on possible ways we could work together in the future to keep the legacy alive. It
was agreed to meet again if any opportunities arose that could be mutually beneficial.
European Youth Championships (EYC)
14 th -23 rd July 2023: Gliwice, Poland
One of the best and longest standing tournaments for junior and cadet players is the EYC which has been going
since 1955.
This year England’s players will be:
Junior Boys’: Connor Green, Ben Piggott, Louis Price
Junior Girls’: Mari Baldwin, Erin Green, Anaya Patel
Cadet Boys’: Rohan Dani, Isaac Kingham, Ralph Pattison
Cadet Girls’: Naomi Coker, Sienna Jetha, Ella Pashley
Good luck to all, we wish you a good tournament. There will be a report in our next issue.
Table Tennis Times 31: Summer 2023
32