Over 250 executives from the Chinese mainland and the United States converged on a Beijing court this week, blending layups and handshakes in a modern twist on cross-Pacific diplomacy. The February 9 event, organized by major industry associations, saw leaders from tech, manufacturing, and green energy sectors engaging in friendly basketball matches before discussing supply chain resilience and AI collaboration.
This initiative echoes the historic 1971 ping pong exchanges that thawed Cold War tensions, now adapted for 2026's economic landscape. 'The ball doesn't lie – trust built through sport translates to boardroom partnerships,' remarked Li Wei, a Shanghai-based renewable energy CEO who scored 18 points during the games.
Key discussion points included:
Joint ventures in quantum computing R&D
Streamlining cross-border e-commerce protocols
Coordinated responses to APEC climate targets
While no major deals were signed immediately, multiple working groups emerged to address tariff optimization and semiconductor standardization. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce noted this marks the largest private-sector diplomatic effort since 2021.
