The Sixth Amity Cup International Table Tennis Philanthropy Tournament will be held in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, from November 14 to 15, bringing together table tennis enthusiasts from across China and around the world to promote international sports and cultural exchange and strengthen friendships.
Co-hosted by the faith-based Amity Foundation, Word4Asia Consulting International (U.S.), and local sports organizations, the event is open to participants from mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and overseas. Around 122 teams with some 760 athletes are expected to compete this year. Competitions will be divided into four categories: teenagers, youth, middle-aged, and seniors. Registration closes on September 15.
Since its launch in 2018, the Amity Cup has grown into a signature event combining sport and philanthropy. Over the past five tournaments, it has drawn nearly 4,000 participants nationwide and raised close to seven million yuan, supporting projects in poverty alleviation, student aid, elderly care, and assistance for people with disabilities.
Building on the spirit of "Ping Pong Diplomacy," the international edition debuted in October 2024, attracting 141 teams and 866 athletes from 32 countries. At that tournament, Dr. Gene Wood, president of Word4Asia, which is dedicated to fostering a greater understanding of China among the American public and promoting friendships between the two nations, emphasized the significance of continuing the legacy of Ping Pong Diplomacy in advancing friendship and people-to-people exchanges between China and the world.
In a meeting with the Chinese Association for International Understanding (CAFIU) in Beijing on March 21, 2024, Dr. Wood stated that since his first visit to China in 1998, he has had a strong bond with China through over a hundred visits. He believed that there were some misunderstandings between China and the United States in the past due to limited face-to-face communication.
"We shared a mutual love for sports, and that also can be a way we build a bridge." Dr. Wood said in an interview with China Christian Daily last October.
"Any financial gain that comes from this will go towards the needy, whether it's schools or the disenfranchised. We trust the Amity Foundation to know where the genuine needs are and oversee that process," he added.
At that time, an exhibition area outside the competition venue featured displays on three main themes: "History of Sino-U.S. Ping-Pong Diplomacy," "Works of the Amity Philanthropy and Calligraphy and Painting Institute," and "Amity Charity Projects," showcasing the integration of sports, art, traditional culture, and charity.
