Ping-pong must be the top-ranking popular sport in China . It seems to me in every school , factory , army unit , or residential area , men and women , young and old , are swinging paddles .   You got it ! In a sense , it has become a byword for Chinese sport .   What do you think might be the source of its popularity ?   I think its critical advantage lies in its low cost . All you need is a racket , a table and a light celluloid ball . Tables are usually available in public recreation areas , like finest rooms , and outdoor playgrounds ...   And sometimes a substitute table can be made out of a few desks . 