On 25 August, table tennis once again proved its power to bring people together as the national teams of Denmark and China faced each other in a Friendship Cup held in Copenhagen. The event marked the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Denmark and China, and was made possible through the close cooperation of the Danish Table Tennis Association, the Chinese Embassy in Denmark, and the Denmark–China Friendship Association.
The celebration brought together sporting and diplomatic leaders, including Hans Natorp, President of the Danish Sport Association; Wang Xuefeng, Chinese Ambassador to Denmark; He Xiao, Secretary-General of the Chinese Table Tennis Association; Henrik Vendelbo, President of the Danish Table Tennis Association; and Petra Sörling, ITTF President.
The players who took part reflected the breadth and inclusivity of table tennis: from global stars such as Sun Yingsha, Lin Shidong, Denmark’s Jonathan Groth, and Anders Lind, as well as Paralympic champion Peter Rosenmeier, and also players with Parkinson’s using table tennis as a tool for health. This diversity highlighted table tennis as a sport for all, and for life.
The Friendship Cup was a symbol of how sport can strengthen ties between nations. Echoing the spirit of Ping Pong Diplomacy, which helped shape international relations more than 50 years ago, this event underlined how table tennis continues to serve as a bridge between cultures and communities. With passionate rallies, laughter, and warm exchanges both on and off the table.