The match commemorated a historic 1971 exhibition match held between the two nations that was dubbed "ping pong diplomacy, " and began the thaw in relations between the Cold War rivals.

这场比赛是为了纪念美中两国1971 年举行的一场具有历史意义的表演赛，那场比赛被称作“乒乓外交”，开启了两个冷战对手之间的关系解冻。

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There was a brief thaw in relations when the Cold War ended, because with the Red Navy gone the U.S. Navy needed to highlight its relevance to fighting ashore, but the more common pattern is for the Navy to constantly question the requirement for Marine assets like vertical-takeoff jets and maritime prepositioning ships (which store warfighting supplies in likely areas of conflict).

FORBES: Gates Challenges Marine Corps' Mission

At the height of the Cold War, the win by the pianist who grew up in Texas helped thaw the icy rivalry between the United States and Soviet Union.

NPR: Van Cliburn Remembered As Gifted Pianist