Diplomacy takes many forms and after the 'ping pong' episode in US-PRC relations this is a curious turn.

What do these nations have in common: Australia, France, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, South Africa, Tonga and China? They play rugby!

Before there's a panic here is the result of Australia v PRC 66:5.

Link:http://www.idrc2011.com/

From the commentary:
If there is one thing that we can take away from this bit of Defence rugby diplomacy it is that the US made a mistake in not sending a team to a tournament well represented by rugby-mad Pacific Islands teams like NZ, Tonga and Samoa. We can probably look forward to some more Chinese Defence rugby diplomacy in the Pacific in the near future.
Link:http://www.lowyinterpreter.org/post/...diplomacy.aspx