Role of Sports in the Historical Development of Sino-American Relations: An Essay in Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Ping Pong Diplomacy

Abstract

本文通過分析留美幼童、基督教青年會,以及中國參加兩屆美國洛杉磯奧運會等案例,揭示這些由體育活動形成的中美共同經歷,如何為'乒乓外交'的成功及中美兩國人民交往打下堅實的歷史基礎。本文認為,體育的重要性在中美關系史中非常突出,不僅幫助締造了中美人民的友誼,也與兩國外交關系環環相扣,成為兩國'共有的歷史'和'共有旅程'的重要環節。文章強調,應借紀念中美'乒乓外交'半個世紀的契機,研究和思考體育因素在中美關系中的作用和影響。體育視野不僅有助于重新認識和理解'乒乓外交',在學術上是一個突破和創新,甚至有可能為我們提供一個有效窗口,思考如何更好處理中美兩國關系,增進彼此的友誼和相互了解。 By using cases of the China education mission in the U. S. A.,the Young Men’s Christian Association in China,and the Chinese participation in the Los Angeles Olympics in 1932 and 1984 respectively,this paper examines the shared experiences of the Chinese and Americans through sports. It argues that this kind of shared history provided a solid historical foundation for the success of the Ping-Pong Diplomacy and later for close,people to people ’s relationships. This paper stresses the important role of sports in Sino-American relations both academically and diplomatically. It further argues that sports might provide a useful vehicle to improve future Sino-American relations and strengthen the bilateral relations between the Chinese and Americans.