On Jan 7 2017, Ma Long joined the recording of JSTV (Jiangsu TV) Chinese New Year's Gala along with Liu Guoliang, Wang Tao, Ma Lin and Chen Qi. They represented different generations of China National Table Tennis Team and shared their stories and perspectives in this "appreciation get-together". JSTV Chinese New Year's Gala was broadcasted on Jan 28.
Ma Long appreciated the supports from his fans and also expressed the gratitude to his former teammate and rival Wang Hao. He said, "First of all, I want to thank all my fans. Your supports and encouragements during the past year make me move forward. I am very touched. It is my great pleasure to become your role model, and give you positive energy in your life or work. In addition, I would like to thank my former teammate and rival who is now a coach, Wang Hao. I am grateful for your retirement. Thank you."
When asked "What's your understanding of the spirits of China National Table Tennis Team?", Ma Long said, "Step down from the podium, and start from scratch. Because we will step up onto the podium again. Coach Liu Guoliang also said that what we have achieved is not the first and not the last. The achievements shall not make us arrogant. We need to get our job well done."
In the backstage interview on the same day, he shared his new year's resolution, "I hope I can remember my mission and get mission completed. I hope I can keep a good form playing during training and tournaments."
When asked to say something only for female fans, he said, "I am not good at sweet words. I want to say 'Thank you' to them. They started to know me and like me in Rio Olympic Games. It has been quite a while and they still show me their passion, which makes me moved. I hope in the new year I can have good performance in return for their support."
He read almost all the letters he received from fans. "Most letters begin with 'I have a lot to tell you but I don't know how to start'. They sometimes write to me about what make them happy or unhappy in their daily life. I feel that they regard me as an elder brother of them, not an idol Ma Long. This feeling brings me closer to them."