On 4 November, the Embassy invited the China national table tennis team who had attended the ITTF World Tour Swedish Open, representatives from the Swedish Table Tennis Association, and junior players and their parents from some Stockholm table tennis clubs to an Open Day Event for China-Sweden table tennis exchanges. Ambassador Gui Congyou and the Chinese diplomats and their family members participated.
Ambassador Gui warmly congratulated the Chinese and Swedish table tennis teams on their good results at the Swedish Open. He said that table tennis is an important link between China and Sweden. For a long time, table tennis associations and teams from both sides have made important contributions to promoting China-Sweden friendly exchanges. It is hoped that they will further strengthen exchanges and cooperation, and that the young players will carry forward the “ping-pong spirit” and promote China-Sweden friendship.
Ms. Petra Sörling, President of the Swedish Table Tennis Association, said that they feel proud every time the Chinese table tennis team come to Sweden to play. The Chinese team have not only displayed excellent skills, but also strong will. She hoped that the junior Swedish players would learn more from Chinese players. It is exciting that China and Sweden have maintained close exchanges in table tennis sports. She hoped that the two sides would carry out more cooperation in the future.
Liu Guoliang, Vice President of the Chinese Table Tennis Association, said that table tennis exchanges between China and Sweden go back a long way. Famous Swedish players have left a deep impression on the Chinese audience, and many Chinese players had come to Sweden to train and play. The table tennis associations from the two sides exchanged views on strengthening cooperation during the Swedish Open, and they are expected to make more contributions to China-Sweden friendly exchanges and the development of table tennis sports.
At the event, the Chinese ping-pong athletes showed their great skills and played with the junior players from local clubs and the children of the Embassy staff. Kids rushed to compete with them and passionately chatted with them. The Swedish junior players and their parents said that they were honored to be able to communicate with the Chinese national team players at the Embassy, and that this event further enhanced their interest in table tennis and deepened their knowledge and understanding of China.
