According to Stephen Mull, vice-provost for global affairs at the University of Virginia, more than 40 students applied for this tour. Many wish to visit China in person since they want to get a better understanding of the country.

Fu Jihong, vice-president of Shanghai People's Association for Friendship With Foreign Countries adds that "we name this activity as 'rekindling ping-pong diplomacy', which implies our hopes of using table tennis to strengthen ties between young people in China and the US. They hold the key to our future".

This youth exchange aims to foster ties through sports, as was done in 1971.

"I think that our political leaders need that now as much — maybe more," says Bruce Reynolds, a retired UVA professor who lives in Shanghai and greeted the Chinese table tennis team during its 1972 US visit.

"Just as I did when I first came to China as a young person, they will have an impact just as individuals," he says.

"They will talk to their friends and family about their China experience, and about how warm and wonderful the people were. That will have an impact."

Zheng Zheng contributed to this story.