Zhuang Zedong Ends His Silence! Exclusive Interview!

My Interview with Zhuang Zedong, a famous Chinese ping pong player during the Cultural Revolution that helped to unify China and America.

Q. How did you react to when the U.S. ping pong team was scheduled to visit?

A. When I first heard of the trip, I was a little worried about the whole situation. Then, as our two countries began to talk more and more, I was thrilled to know they were coming. I got my whole team prepared, we made and bought gifts for them, and I even taught my teammates the little English I know!

Q. Explain why you gave U.S. ping pong member Glenn Cowan a silk screen portrait? What was meant from the gesture?

A. Well, I had always admired the Glenn and respected him as a player, so when I saw him practicing on our practice site, I knew I should give him something. By the time I came back, I saw their bus leaving and thought I was too late…Then, as I saw Glenn stay behind by accident, I quickly showed him the way to our bus. There I gave him his gift. By giving the gift to him I wanted to show him that we were friends, not enemies from different countries.

Q. Do you expect to get anything back in return from Glenn?

A. Honestly, no. It was just a nice gesture meant from me and doesn’t have to be returned. It was a symbol of peace. If Glenn feels it’s necessary to return the favor, let him do as he pleases!

Q. Do you feel that by sending this gift you have started the beginning of a new era between the U.S. and China?

A. Well, I would like to think, yes. I feel like it started when the team entered China, but that I sped up the process with this act of hospitality.

Q. Before you go, what is your outlook for the future of China and the U.S.?

A. Well, from my perspective as a ping pong player, I think things are going splendid. Maybe politicians think differently, but it’s an opinionated question. I hope that something good for the two happens because I’ll be able to look back and think: “wow, I helped the world in such an enormous way just by doing something so simple anyone could’ve done. It would just make me feel great.