The exchanges between the Chinese and American table tennis players on April 10, 1971, formed the basis of what would later be known as ping pong diplomacy. It marked the re-establishment of the suspended China-U.S. relations. To celebrate 50 years of ping pong diplomacy, a commemorative event was held in late April in Beijing where invited guests heard from famous athletes like Yao Ming, Lang Ping, and Stephen Marbury.