Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) student-athletes recently embarked on a 12-day pickleball diplomacy trip to China, visiting Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Beijing. The initiative aimed to foster international friendship and cultural exchange through the sport of pickleball, echoing the historic “ping-pong diplomacy” of the 1970s that helped ease U.S.-China relations. About 30 students participated, serving as ambassadors who built connections one interaction at a time, a concept highlighted by MCPS Athletics Director Dr. Jeffrey Sullivan.
The trip culminated in a documentary premiere held in Washington, D.C., hosted by Chinese dignitaries who had welcomed the students in Beijing. The event underscored the theme of friendship transcending borders, as expressed by student Corinne Howard. The initiative even garnered recognition from Chinese President Xi Jinping, who responded to a letter of gratitude from Sullivan. The documentary is available for viewing on the MCPS YouTube channel.
