This Day, That Year

40 years on

Editor’s Note: This year marks the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening-up policy.

On May 14, 1984, China won the Uber Cup badminton title on its first attempt, defeating England 5-0 in Kuala Lumpur. The victory was captured in a photo published in China Daily.

China’s badminton team has continued to shine with stellar results. In May 2016, the Thomas and Uber Cups, badminton’s top team competitions, were held in Kunshan, Jiangsu province. China defended its 14th Uber Cup title with a 3-1 victory against South Korea in the final match in Kunshan.

The men’s badminton team is a perennial force to be reckoned with. The ninetime champions were surprised by Japan, the eventual winner, in the Thomas Cup semifinals in New Dehli, India, in 2014. Later, South Korea defeated China 3-1 in the quarterfinals of the 2016 Thomas Cup.

At the 2016 Rio Olympics, Team China won four gold medals and two silvers. At the 2012 London Olympics, it won five gold medals.

The phenomenal achievements of Chinese players, including two-time Olympic champion Lin Dan, have helped fuel badminton’s popularity nationwide.

Nearly 20 provinces and regions field professional badminton teams, and the number of amateur clubs continues to grow.

The Thomas and Uber Cups will be held from May 20 to 27 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Lin and the current Olympic champion, Chen Long, are included on the men’s singles list, and Li Xuerui, the 2012 gold medalist from the London Olympics, is listed on the women’s team.