The 6th Taicang China-Germany Friendship Cup International Table Tennis Invitational Tournament took place on Dec 10. 

The event, sponsored by several departments of the city government and culture-exchange organizations, featured eight German and eight Chinese table tennis teams, fostering camaraderie among over 100 athletes. 

Chinese players like Yu Heyi and foreign talent including Abdel-Kader Salifou and Hannes Hoermann showcased their skills during the game, which follows the Swaythling Cup System.

Players compete in the arena. [Photo/WeChat account: gh_5d51cb296177]

The tournament, a platform for Sino-German collaboration, follows a two-stage format. After round-robin matches, the top two teams from each group move to cross-elimination matches, determining the top four positions. 

Yu, a former Chinese national team member, expressed joy at competing with German players, emphasizing the event's significance in promoting cultural exchange.

Established in 2016, the tournament has become a prominent sporting event for Taicang, strengthening ties between China and Germany. 

Christian Sommer, the CEO of the German Center Shanghai, highlighted the tournament's role in fostering friendship, cultural integration, and the growth of a new generation of players.