At 2 p.m. on March 28, 2025, the atmosphere was vibrant inside the Zhirou Hall at Shenzhen University, where an extraordinary international sports and cultural exchange event took place. Eighteen MBA students from the University of Washington in the United States visited Shenzhen University to experience table tennis courses and immerse themselves in the unique charm of this Chinese "national ball." Deputy Director Zeng Sa and Zhang Yang of the International Exchange and Cooperation Department, Director Gao Ying of the Sports College, Secretary Shu Cheng of the Youth League Committee, Associate Professor He Quanta, and Foreign Affairs Secretary Yang Zhen attended the event. Additionally, players from the Shenzhen University High-Level Table Tennis Team and eight volunteers participated, providing support for the smooth progress of the event.

At the beginning of the event, students from China and the United States introduced themselves briefly, quickly closing the distance between them. Subsequently, students from the University of Washington observed the table tennis public physical education class at Shenzhen University. During the warm-up session, they followed the activities of high-level sports team members to prepare for subsequent learning.

Afterwards, Associate Professor Gao Ying explained the basic knowledge of table tennis to the visiting students. She started with the basic rules of the game, using simple examples to make students understand the criteria for scoring and losing points; she also introduced different ways of holding the racket, such as the shakehand grip and the penhold grip, and demonstrated in person, allowing students to clearly see the correct posture for holding the racket. After the theoretical explanation, the table tennis high-level sports team members from Shenzhen University paired up and quickly got into the game, demonstrating basic table tennis skills such as forehand and backhand attacks, attacking on serve, and non-fixed point pulls. Their agile movements and the rapid rhythm and exquisite skills between the balls showcased the level of table tennis at Shenzhen University.Immediately following, Teachers Zeng Sa and Shu Cheng paired up with students on the spot to play table tennis doubles. The two teachers and students cooperated with each other with great coordination, and there were many exciting rallies.

After the theoretical and demonstration sessions, the activity entered the group teaching phase. The high-level athletes and volunteers from Shenzhen University quickly paired up with students from the University of Washington for one-on-one instruction. They patiently explained the techniques for generating power and, through repeated demonstrations, helped students master the basic skills of table tennis. The students humbly asked questions, actively tried, and there was a warm exchange between both sides, with a very harmonious atmosphere on the scene. Finally, the Chinese and American students engaged in a friendly match, and some students, under the guidance of Teacher He Quanta, tried various table tennis games, with laughter echoing throughout the Zhirou Hall.

This table tennis exchange activity not only allowed students from the University of Washington to personally experience the charm of China's "national ball," but also provided a platform for in-depth exchanges between students from both universities, enhancing the friendship between Chinese and American students, and laying a good foundation for further cooperation between the two universities in the field of sports culture.

Contributors: Shu Cheng, Yang Zhen

Reviewer: Wang Dong

Translated by：LuJiao

March 27, 2025