Photos: 40th anniversary of pingpong diplomacy

Chinese drummers perform before the 40th anniversary pingpong matches at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum in Yorba Linda on Thursday.   (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Zheng Huaiying of China and Judy Hoarfrost of the U.S. play a rematch of their 1971 pingpong diplomacy match on Thursday at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum in Yorba Linda.   (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Judy Hoarfrost, a member of the U.S. pingpong contingent in 1971, returns a shot against China’s Zheng Huaiying in a short rematch at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum in Yorba Linda on Thursday.   (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Pingpong players Judy Hoarfrost of the U.S. and Zheng Hyaiying of China embrace after a brief rematch of their 1971 diplomacy match on Thursday at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum.   (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

U.S. player Yiyon Fan shows a picture to actor Andoni Maropis before a pingpong match at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum on Thursday, when a 40th anniversary celebration took place in honor of the 1971 pingpong diplomacy.   (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Edward Nixon, younger brother of former President Richard Nixon, watches a pingpong match on Thursday during the 40th anniversary celebration at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum.   (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Liang Geliang of China warms up for his rematch with American George Braithwaite on Thursday at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, which hosted a 40th anniversary celebration of the 1971 pingpong diplomacy.   (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Tim Boggan of the U.S. and Liang Geliang of China reunite at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum on Thursday, 40 years after they each took part in the July 8, 1971, pingpong diplomacy matches.   (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

American player Judy Hoarfrost signs a paddle for a fan during the 40th anniversary celebration of the 1971 pingpong diplomacy meeting between the U.S. and China on Thursday at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum.   (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

American Ellen Hwang returns a shot against Zhang Qiang during their match Thursday at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum in Yorba Linda, where the 40th anniversary of the 1971 pingpong diplomacy was held.   (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

The American delegation poses for a photo at the Great Wall of China in April of 1971.  (AFP / Getty Images)