GAC Group began their relationship with the ITTF in 2011 with the sponsorship of the World Table Tennis Championships, before signing on as title sponsors for the ITTF World Tour in 2012, a deal which will now run to 2015 after a two-year extension was signed today in Guangzhou.

Also in attendance at the ceremony were GAC Group General Manager Zeng Qinghong and ITTF President Adham Sharara, who thanked GAC for their continued support.

GAC Group extended their deal with the ITTF at a ceremony in Guangzhou earlier today

"We are very happy to be here today on this historical day to mark the extension of a long term collaboration between ITTF and GAC Group," he said.

"We would like to thank GAC Group for their support, and we are sure that this partnership will be beneficial to GAC Group in helping them establish themselves as an international brand.

"ITTF has a special relationship with the city of Guangzhou.

"Guangzhou has organised many top level events for the ITTF, and both the current and previous Mayors of Guangzhou are very good players.

"Hence, the ITTF is delighted to have a relationship with a top Guangzhou company and to extend the relationship with Guangzhou city."

Zeng added: "Table tennis is a very competitive and intellectual sport, with a strong foundation amongst the public.

"The World Tour is a top ITTF Event that not only provides a stage for athletes to prove themselves, but is also a platform that promotes international friendship and understanding."

The 2013 GAC Group ITTF World Tour is set to get back underway in Brazil from August 8 to 11, where players will be battling it out for ranking points with places at the million-dollar World Tour Grand Finals in Dubai next January at stake.

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