With the return of spring, the breeze in Shenyang grows gentle and pleasant. Inside the gymnasium of Liaoning University, Paul Pinkewich, a 73-year-old Australian, dressed in sports attire, is swinging his racket in a ping-pong match. This is a unique friendly ping-pong event between China and Australia. Fifty-three years ago, a ping-pong match opened the door to friendship between China and Australia, and Paul Pinkewich was a participant and witness to this important milestone. Fifty-three years later, he once again set foot on China, deeply reminiscing about the past of “ping-pong diplomacy”, and couldn’t help but exclaim, “Half a century has passed, and China has undergone tremendous development and change. What remains unchanged is our friendship.”

Paul Pinkewich has participated in 287 ping-pong matches since he engaged himself in this career more than 60 years ago. He has won 14 medals in international sports competitions, 24 Australian national ping-pong championships, and six Oceania ping-pong championships. This is Paul Pinkewich’s first visit to Shenyang, Liaoning. When it comes to Shenyang, Paul Pinkewich is unstinting in his praise, “Shenyang is a city with profound history, and the warmth and hospitality of its people impressed me deeply.” During his stay in Shenyang, Paul Pinkewich visited the Liaoning Provincial Museum and the Shenyang Imperial Palace, eager to learn about the history of the city. He also visited the Xiaoheyan morning market in Shenyang, tasting specialties such as pan-fried beef buns and chicken ribs while experiencing the daily life of Shenyang people. “Shenyang is a city with unique charm, and I’d like to come back again,” said Paul Pinkewich.

During his stay, Paul Pinkewich visited several universities and sports institutions in Liaoning. “Liaoning has many advanced sports facilities and equipment, excellent coaches and athletes, as well as a scientific and effective athlete training system,” Paul Pinkewich explained. “I think this is why Liaoning has nurtured so many Olympic and world champions, and why it truly deserves its reputation as a major sports province in China. The high standards and advanced experience of sports training in Liaoning are worth learning from. After returning to Australia, I will definitely introduce Liaoning to the Table Tennis New South Wales and bring them here for visits and learning.”

Paul Pinkewich acknowledged that ping-pong has brought him honor, health, and happiness, and he is willing to share “ping-pong stories” with more Chinese friends, allowing more Australians to understand China and Liaoning through sports exchanges. “Friendship first, competition second. Through mutual exchanges and learning, we can make progress together,” said Paul Pinkewich. “In the future, I will strive to promote sports exchanges between New South Wales State, Australia and Liaoning, China, and strengthen ping-pong exchanges and training between young people from the two places, wishing Liaoning sports to bear more and better fruits.”