Word: pongs
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Only 2½ years ago, the future of Taiwan, last bastion of Chiang Kai-shek's Republic of China, seemed gloomy indeed. Within a few months of the mainland's opening outward with Ping Pong diplomacy, tiny Taiwan found itself practically isolated. It was expelled from the U.N. and lost the recognition of 33 of 68 countries, including such important allies as Japan and Australia. But since those dark days, the island of 16 million has not only survived, it has prospered...
...that is to be the new pattern, it would reverse the trend of the past three years. After the birth of Ping Pong diplomacy in 1971, the Chinese allowed the resident foreign press corps to increase from 18 reporters to the present 42 (including 24 from non-Communist nations). Though no U.S. news organizations have yet been permitted to open bureaus, many prominent American journalists were treated royally during extended visits. Their reportage created the impression that China was opening up in a substantial way-an impression that is apparently illusory...
During flights, passengers wander up and down the aisles talking, drinking and listening to piped-in rock music; Pong machines, backgammon and chess boards, and a giant denim pillow are strewn about the plane, which has no class sections. Stewardesses and stewards, who walk and talk like real people, wear ultra-violet Flash Gordon-type outfits and berets with the black and white Freelandia insignia of an open hand. What's more, they remain in their original clothes throughout the flight, thus eliminating those strange airborne fashion shows...
...like what was called an "all-purpose room" at my grade school, where the tables you ate lunch on were folded into the wall to clear the floor for basketball games, plays and PTA meetings. A ping pong table and a wooden desk sat on the raised stage at one end of the room. A speed bag, punching bag and pool table filled up the other end. The 50 feet between was marked off for playing basketball...
...fellow played a game of ping pong with me. He kept score and he didn't cheat or try to bully me over close calls. After I beat him, by two points, he shook my hand and said "good game" and went to shoot pool...