Ping-Pong Diplomacy in action: Two US-Chinese mixed teams train for the World Table Tennis Doubles Championships in Houston, Texas. The US and China are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the so-called Ping-Pong Diplomacy, which once ushered in a thaw between the two countries, thanks to historic teamwork. Pictured in front are US’s Lily Zhang and China’s Lin Gaoyuan. Playing in the background are China’s Wang Manyu and US’s Kanak Jha. The World Championships kicked off on Tuesday. The Wang/Jha duo could face German European champions Dang Qiu and Nina Mittelham in the second round of the competition.