By CHRISTOPHER BODEEN

updated 5:34 p.m. ET Aug. 20, 2011

BEIJING - Georgetown coach John Thompson III said he has made peace with the coach of a Chinese basketball team over a bench-clearing brawl and denies the melee carried any political connotations.

Thompson said Saturday that he met with the Bayi Rockets' coach on Friday and they shook hands and chatted about basketball and other matters.

Thompson doesn't think the brawl in Beijing on Thursday had any political overtones. The Rockets are affiliated with China's military, and the fight seemed to embody often contentious U.S.-China relations on the second day of a highly publicized visit by Vice President Joe Biden.

"Beijing is behind us, man," Thompson said Saturday, a day after flying to Shanghai as part of a 10-day goodwill trip. "We are excited to be here in Shanghai. And our team was invited to come here to the city of Shanghai to be part of this. Beijing is over."

Asked what he told his players, Thompson said: "I told them, `Let's go to Shanghai and have fun."'

While China likes to use sports to promote diplomacy, at times that has been affected by violent flare-ups by players and fans. Tensions ran high Thursday when referees began calling the Hoyas for numerous fouls.

After Bayi players knocked guard Jason Clark to the ground, the melee ensued with players throwing punches and chairs. The Hoyas left the court as fans threw water bottles at them, the score tied at 64.

Jim Rogash / Getty Images The Week in Sports Pictures The nation grieved for those hurt, killed and affected by the Boston Marathon bombings. After one of the suspects was caught on Friday — following a day-long lockdown and manhunt — sports returned to Boston over the weekend.

Coaches and players representatives from the two teams met at Beijing's airport Friday to reconcile.

"Yeah, we just got together and shook hands and their coach and me talked about things other than basketball, about families, and we both are ready to move on," Thompson said.

While the Hoyas were originally scheduled to play the Rockets again on Sunday in Shanghai, that match was canceled prior to Thursday's fight. Instead, Georgetown will face the Liaoning Dinosaurs.

"We expect good competition against a very difficult team," Thompson said.

More news

Mark Humphrey / AP

A bond that crosses rivalry lines

There may not be a rivalry in all of college basketball more unique than the Battle of the Boulevard, which pits Belmont against Lipscomb.

Sports world keeps eye on Oklahoma tornado

The massive tornado that ripped through a handful of Oklahoma City suburbs and killed at least 50 people grabbed the attention of the sports world on Monday, especially the players and coaches with ties to the area.

Gabriel Bouys / AFP - Getty Images

Nadal, Serena win final tune-up before French Open

Rafa Nadal made short work of his great rival Roger Federer to win the Italian Open, while Serena Williams took down Victoria Azarenka in the women's final.

Headlines

• Label

'A chance' Coach K coaches US again

Shane Mosley unanimously outpointed Pablo Cano

Clean sweeps at Red Bull Hangtown

UFC suspends Nate Diaz for tweeting gay slur

Sick Sharapova withdraws from Italian Open

Former OJ lawyer in Vegas to testify new trial bid

America's Cup sailing suspended for review of boats and dangers

Even Cavendish surprised by fourth stage win