With a favorable mass base, table tennis is an offense, confrontation and defense-involved popular ball sport in the world. Table tennis is known as the “national ball” of China, as numerous medals and glory have accompanied the Chinese table tennis team.
The exchange activity was held in the Table Tennis Hall of SBS. Members of the SBS Table Tennis Club first introduced the rules and techniques of table tennis to all international students, and then Chinese students and international students practiced table tennis in groups. After getting familiar with the rules and techniques, the international students played a friendly match with Chinese students under the guidance of the Club Members. The players enjoyed a fierce match, which attracted many Chinese and foreign student spectators. Regardless of the match results, all hard-fighting players achieved the sincerest applause.
This exchange activity is the first large-scale offline activity held since the full resumption of offline classes for international students. In the 1970s, table tennis opened the door to Sino-American relations. Now, in the context of the “Belt and Road Initiative”, table tennis has become a bridge of friendship between China and the Belt and Road countries. The “small ball” has promoted close cooperation and exchange on the “big ball”—the earth. The exchange activity has enhanced the understanding between the two sides, established good friendship, and injected motivation and vitality into the study life. More importantly, the interactive experience helped the international students quickly integrate into university life, adapt to the study in Shanghai, deepen their understanding of China, and enhance their awareness of knowing, loving, and befriending China.
Written by: Zhang Ruyi
Photos by: Zhang Ruyi
Reviewed by: Chen Wei
