Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and Olympic champion Deng Yaping in table tennis pairs match

(BEIJING, November 25) -- November 25, 2007, Saturday was a cold day in Beijing. Over 200 people gathered around a ping-pong table to enjoy a match between two rare pairs at the Olive Hall of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, where warmth permeated.

One pair was composed of Minister Yang Jiechi and Olympic champion Deng Yaping, and the other two skillful players were from Tsinghua University. The two pairs joined other guests in attending the "Public Open Day" hosted by the Ministry.

Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi takes the floor.

Themed "Chinese diplomacy and the Beijing Olympics," the activity attracted members of the public from across the country, with the eldest being in his seventies and the youngest only six years old. A number of the staff of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) and volunteers also took part in the function.

Before the games started, Minister Yang, Assistant Minister Kong Quan, Deputy Director Wang Hui of the BOCOCG Media and Communications Department, Deng Yaping, former world skating champion Ye Qiaobo, and the diplomatic envoy of the 2012 Olympic Games host country and British ambassador to China, Sir William Ehrman, shook hands with the visitors and posed for a group photo.

Dignitaries autograph a scroll.

"The Olympic spirit matches the theme of the times -- peace and development -- and expresses the common desire of the Chinese and the people all over the world," said Yang, who expressed belief that the Beijing Olympics would be a success and would benefit peace, friendship, and cooperation worldwide.

Ambassador Ehrman said the organizers of the London Olympics would maintain close cooperation with BOCOG to ensure the success of the 2012 Games.

Deng, who won the world championship 14 times and now serves as vice director of the BOCOG Olympic Village Department, thanked the Ministry for its valuable assistance to athletes and expressed hope that the Chinese spectators would applaud all the excellent sports competitions at the forthcoming Olympics.

Chinese basketball star Yao Ming sent his greetings to the participants from Houston, U.S. through video conferencing.

British Ambassador Sir William Ehrman tests his ping-pong skills.

Ambassador Sir William Ehrman takes the floor.

At the press hall, ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao briefed the participants on the relationship between sports and diplomacy, and the director of international organizations and conferences, Wu Hailong, said the ministry has done its part in inviting VIPs, promoting the Olympic truce at the United Nations, and helping to organize the Olympic torch relay on its overseas route.

Tracing the creation of the Beijing Olympic symbols, including the emblem, mascots, medals, and torch, Wang Hui drew the participants' attention to the inclusion of Chinese elements in the Olympics.

Director of International Organizations and Conferences Wu Hailong stresses the relationship between sports and diplomacy.

The Yang/Deng pair beat their rivals 11-8, inspiring laughter, cheers, and applause. As the gathering drew to an end, the dignitaries, diplomats, and volunteers signed their names and best wishes on a six-meter-long scroll with the Olympic slogan of "One World One Dream."

Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao talks about the international situation.

Deputy Director of BOCOG Median and Communications Department briefs on the preparatory work for the Beijing Olympic Games.

Dignitaries and volunteers in a group photo