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September 14, 2007

Chinese pingpong star to tour Bryant University

SMITHFIELD -- A Chinese pingpong star who helped rekindle contact between the U.S. and China during the Cold War plans to appear at Bryant University tonight.

Zhuang Zedong was a member of the Chinese national pingpong team in 1971, when Communist leader Mao Zedong had closed off contact with the West.

During a competition in Japan, Zhuang spoke with a member of the American team, one of a series of exchanges that culminated in President Nixon's groundbreaking visit to China in 1972.

Promoted within the Chinese Communist Party, Zhuang was drawn into a power struggle after Mao's death and detained. Freed years ago, he's now traveling the U.S. to promote Chinese language and culture institutes, including one at Bryant.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Jack Perry  at 7:02 AM | Permalink

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Anna Maria | September 18, 2007 1:11 AM link

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