A different kind of connection was made nearly 40 years ago when the frost between our countries began to thaw through the simple game of table tennis. The very unlikely nature of this engagement contributed to its success -- because for all our differences, both our common humanity and our shared curiosity were revealed. As one American player described his visit to China .
40年前，我们两国间开启了又一种联系，两国关系开始解冻，通过乒乓球的比赛解冻关系。我们两国之间有着分歧，但是我们也有着共同的人性及有着共同的好奇，就像一位乒乓球运动员一样，那时的国家就是一样。
这是网上的翻译，有点乱。下面这一句直译是什么意思呢？
The very unlikely nature of this engagement contributed to its success。
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俺的英文水平有限......
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学习了!
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同意1楼
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