Meanwhile, this month marks the 50th anniversary of the ice-breaking visit to China by the US table tennis team in 1971, which was a prelude to the start of normalization of bilateral diplomatic relations.

In a video speech for a ceremony on Saturday in Beijing celebrating the anniversary, Vice-President Wang Qishan said Ping-Pong Diplomacy made history as it met the two peoples' needs to end the lack of interactions and bolstered mutual understanding and friendship, and it is still inspiring today.

The vice-president stressed the need to secure the healthy, steady growth of the ties and expand cooperation on all fronts to help the world conquer COVID-19, boost recovery and preserve peace.

Henry Kissinger, former US secretary of state, said in a prerecorded video message that Ping-Pong Diplomacy showed that a number of little steps are needed for major decisions to be made.

"So we can hope this is a symbol of the positivity in the future for America and China to continue their commitment to a peaceful and prosperous world," he said.

Lin Songtian, president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, said that playing a sports game means making oneself faster and stronger, not setting up or diminishing competitors in order to force them out of the game.

The rational urge for friendship by the two peoples draws a sharp contrast to exaggerations by some politicians and media, Lin said.

Jan Berris, vice-president of the National Committee on United States-China Relations, said she hopes that the spirit of humanizing each other through sports will be an inspiration for bilateral relations once again.

"I do believe that there are many powerful bridges that unite the two sides, and it is important to keep these bridges very strong," she said.