Young table tennis players from China and the United States pose for a photo on Friday during an event held in Beijing to commemorate the 55th anniversary of the two nations' "ping-pong diplomacy". [Photo by Wang Zhuangfei / China Daily]

A commemorative event was held on Friday at the Capital Indoor Stadium in Beijing to mark the 55th anniversary of the landmark "ping-pong diplomacy" that helped thaw relations between China and the United States.

Firsthand witnesses of the historic exchange, along with young athletes from both countries and representatives from various sectors attended the event.

The ceremony also marked the launch of a series of China-U.S. youth sports exchange activities for 2026.

By carrying forward the "ping-pong friendship", young people from both countries are injecting renewed vitality into people-to-people ties between China and the U.S.

Firsthand witnesses of "ping-pong diplomacy" Zheng Minzhi (first from left) from China and Judy Hoarfrost (second from left) prepare to hug at the commemorative event held in Beijing on Friday. [Photo by Wang Zhuangfei / China Daily]

Liang Geliang and Zheng Minzhi (second from left) from China and Judy Hoarfrost (second from right) and Connie Sweeris (first from left) from the U.S., four of the participants of the friendly matches held 55 years ago, engage in a friendly table tennis match during the commemorative event held in Beijing on Friday. [Photo by Wang Zhuangfei / China Daily]