“Ali to pay us four-day visit,” ran a headline in the South China Morning Post on December 5, 1979. “‘The Greatest’ – otherwise known as Muhammad Ali – will pay a four-day visit to Hongkong later this month,” the report continued.
The three-time world heavyweight boxing champion would also visit Beijing for the first time and “spend three days in China [...] for a series of ‘teach-in’ sessions as part of China’s long-range sports plans”, the Post followed up with on December 15.
“I’ve wanted to go [to China] since I was 10 years old,” said Ali. “Those people are so self-sufficient; they have pulled themselves right up without asking for help from the Western world. I just admire them so much.”
Ali met senior vice-premier Deng Xiaoping in the Great Hall of the People, it was reported on December 19. Deng told Ali China was “worthy to be a friend” and said it would be easy for the people of the United States and China to foster a relationship.
On December 21, the Post reported that Ali would return for six weeks to train the Chinese Olympic boxing team, adding that Deng had lifted a ban on boxing imposed in 1956 to give Ali a team to coach.
“It’s a great feeling for a little black boy from Kentucky to know that people in these countries are waiting for me to return,” Ali said.
