Shanghai organized a commemorative event and friendly table tennis matches on April 10, 2021, for the 50th anniversary of ping-pong diplomacy, a milestone in the history of China-US relations which smartly broke the ice between the two countries and eventually led to the establishment of diplomatic relations. April 10, 1971 was the day when the US table tennis delegation arrived in Beijing and began its tour at China’s invitation, prior to which the two countries had no official contact at all for more than two decades. Photos: Chen Xia/GT