Loughborough University London has hosted China’s national table tennis team in a landmark visit – marking their only UK appearance outside of the 2026 ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships.
The event, held on 11 May, brought China’s top table tennis athletes to the University’s London campus, alongside senior representatives from the Chinese Table Tennis Association, Table Tennis England, and high-level diplomats, including the Chinese Ambassador to the UK, Zheng Zeguang.
As the only non-competition engagement for Team China during their time in the UK – following their remarkable victory at the Championships – the visit further reinforced Loughborough University’s reputation as a global destination where sport, education, and cultural exchange come together.
The event also marked the 55th anniversary of ‘Ping Pong Diplomacy’ – the historic 1971 exchange between China and the West that helped reshape international relations – adding further significance to the occasion.
Opening remarks were delivered by Professor Nick Jennings, Vice-Chancellor and President of Loughborough University, alongside Ambassador Zheng Zeguang, Wang Liqin, President of the Chinese Table Tennis Association, and Sally Lockyer, CEO of Table Tennis England. Speakers reflected on the enduring power of sport to build bridges between nations, highlighting table tennis as a symbol of connection, collaboration, and shared values.
A panel discussion on sport and diplomacy explored the lasting impact of Ping Pong Diplomacy and the role sport continues to play in international relations today. The session was led by Dr Tim Oliver from Loughborough University London and featured former England international Alan Hydes – who took part in the historic 1971 tour to China – alongside Jasmine Pang, a Shanghai-based media and cultural executive and founder of Branding Shanghai.
The energy of the day then shifted as guests watched a thrilling table tennis exhibition from Team China, offering a rare glimpse of the skill and precision that has made them one of the most dominant teams in global sport.
Speaking at the event, Loughborough’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Nick Jennings, said: “It is a real honour to welcome Team China, Ambassador Zheng Zeguang, and all our distinguished guests to our London campus. This special occasion not only celebrates sporting excellence but also highlights the unique ability of sport to bring people together across cultures and borders.
“At Loughborough, we are proud of the role we play at the intersection of sport, education and international collaboration. Events like this strengthen our longstanding relationships with partners in China and inspire our community through direct engagement with world-class athletes and global leaders. We look forward to building on this momentum to create even deeper connections in the years ahead.”
Ambassador Zheng Zeguang added: “I would like to congratulate the organisers on the success of the 2026 London World Team Table Tennis Championships, a landmark centenary event returning to its birthplace. I also warmly congratulate Team China on once again lifting both the Swaythling Cup and the Corbillon Cup. Their outstanding skills, relentless pursuit of excellence, and commitment to pushing their limits truly embody the values of Olympism, and they are a source of great pride for China.
“This year marks the 55th anniversary of ‘Ping Pong Diplomacy’ between China and the UK. The exchanges between our two countries in 1971 were an important step towards the normalisation of diplomatic relations. Today, the engagement between the world’s leading table tennis players and students here at Loughborough University London will further strengthen mutual understanding and friendship between our peoples in this new era.
“The Chinese government fully supports continued exchanges between our sporting communities and deeper cooperation between our universities. The Chinese Embassy in the UK looks forward to working even more closely with Loughborough and other institutions to promote these partnerships and collaborations.”
Sally Lockyer, Table Tennis England CEO, said: “Having been part of the Prime Minister’s trade delegation representing business, culture and sport to China earlier this year, I’ve been delighted to welcome the Chinese National Team to England for the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals London 2026 Presented by ACN and for their visit to the Loughborough University London Campus.
“Sport has a unique power to connect people, beyond borders and language. At the World Championships, we come together not just to compete, but to strengthen cultural exchange and build lasting bilateral relationships, proving that table tennis can be a shared platform for friendship, respect, and mutual understanding.”
Wang Liqin, President of the Chinese Table Tennis Association, said: “The 1971 China-UK ‘Ping-Pong Diplomacy’ marked a historic breakthrough in relations between our two countries. It showed that people-to-people connections are the foundation of international friendship, while sport provides a universal language that can transcend cultural differences.
“Young people are not only the future of table tennis, but also the future of China-UK friendship. We hope participants will use table tennis as a bridge to strengthen understanding through exchange and interaction, build trust, and carry forward the spirit of friendship between our nations for generations to come.”