Zhuang Zedong: Ping pong theology

(Photo by Daniel Schwen)

Chinese ping-pong champion Zhuang Zedong, whom Wikipedia describes as "a well-known political personality during the tumult of the Cultural Revolution," asked himself this key theological question during a 1971 chance encounter with his American counterpart,

Glenn Cowan:  Is it okay to fraternize with the enemy?

The "enemy" in this case was a long-haired 19-year-old American college student who had wandered aboard the Chinese team's bus

during a world table tennis tournament that was being held in Japan.  Zhuang Zedong, who was sitting in the back of that bus, began

internally weighing the "rules" against being friendly to Americans versus the longstanding tradition of Chinese hospitality. 

Hospitality won out, and Zhuang not only initiated conversation (via an interpreter) with Cowan, but also ended up giving him a silk brocade gift.  This hospitable choice opened doors to what the world now calls "ping pong diplomacy."

However, the world might just as well have called it "ping pong theology" since hospitality is at the heart of most religions.  Zhuang's decision to risk the displeasure of the existing Chinese government in order to share a common human bond across social/political lines was historically somewhat miraculous.

Even more "miraculous" were the follow-up events.  Then-Chairman Mao Zedong, rather than reprimanding Zhuang, instead remarked:  Zhuang Zedong is not only good at pingpong, he is good at diplomacy too.  If that weren't astonishing enough during the Cold War era, CNN reports that Mao then "ordered the Foreign Ministry to invite the American team to China." 

Thus began a healing of the previous bitter relationship between the two great nations.  Time Magazine called it "the ping heard round the world," and Zhuang himself later commented:  Chairman Mao used a small ball to push a big ball forward.

Resources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhuang_Zedong

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ping_Pong_Diplomacy

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/02/25/pingpong.diplomacy/index.html     

Copyright August 3, 2012 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved