The following is a brief review of the history of the WTTC and achievements by Chinese teams:

o In November 1926 the International Table Tennis Association (ITTA) was founded in London, England. The first WTTC was also held in the same year and in the same city.

o Starting with the 20th WTTC, held in Bucharest of Croatia in 1953, the Chinese team began to attend the championship.

o At the 25th WTTC, held in Dortmund of former West Germany in 1959, Rong Guotuan won the men's single championship. This was the first victory China won at the WTTC and also the first world championship won by China in any sport.

o At the 26th WTTC, held in Beijing in 1961, the Chinese team won the men's team championship for the first time. In the same tournament, Qiu Zhonghui won the first women's single championship - this was also the first Chinese women's victory in any international sports events.

o At the 36th WTTC, held in Novisad of the former Yugoslavia in 1981, the Chinese team won the first grand-prix - all championships of the tournament.

o At the 43rd WTTC, held in China's Tianjin in 1995, China won its second grand-prix.

o At the 46th WTTC, held in Osaka of Japan in 2001, the Chinese team won its third grand-prix.

(Star News)