She recalled that during their eight-day stay in 1971, the delegation visited the Great Wall, the Summer Palace, watched the ballets The Red Detachment of Women and Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy, and toured Tsinghua University, the Shanghai industrial exhibition hall, and the Malu model commune.

"We didn't know that every little thing we did in China became big news back home. For example, my family told me that a photo of me with a buffalo in the commune was broadcast on national news in the US," Hoarfrost said.

The visit also included friendship matches in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, guided by the principle of "Friendship first, competition second".

"Although the Chinese players were the best in the world, they kindly allowed me to win three out of four matches," Hoarfrost said. "This was a gift of friendship."