Pandas and ping pong have previously helped thaw the freeze between communist China and the Free World.

Now another “P”–poker–will give it a go.

Online poker room Poker Stars (www.pokerstars.com) has announced that it has opened a live poker room in China.

In a news release, United Kingdom-based Poker Stars said the new live room has opened at the Grand Waldo Hotel and Casino in Macao, and will be called Poker Stars Macao.

Macao is a so-called “special administrative region” of China and is the only part of China that allows casino gambling. In recent years, numerous casinos have opened there, including one owned by Steve Wynn.

According to Poker Stars, the new room has a 250-person capacity and is offering not only cash games but also regular poker tournaments.

The room opened on May 23 with a no-limit Texas hold ‘em charity poker tournament that raised money for the victims of the recent earthquake in western China, Poker Stars said.

The tourney participants competed for about $15,000 worth of cash prizes, after making charitable donations to participate, Poker Stars said.

Joe Hachem, winner of the 2005 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event and now a paid flack for Poker Stars, was quoted in the press release saying: “Poker Stars is committed to the development of poker in Asia. Although Macao has overtaken Las Vegas as the gaming capital of the world, it was only with the incredible success of the Asia Pacific Poker tour last November that Texas hold ‘em poker started growing there.

“Poker Stars planted the seeds and now this beautiful poker room is going to be the garden where future champions learn to play. I wouldn’t be surprised if the next world champion comes from Macao or elsewhere in China.”

Gary Woollard, general manager of Grand Waldo Casino, said in the release: “The arrival of poker as a gaming option in Macao’s casinos will encourage more people to come and enjoy all Macao has to offer. We are delighted to have a company with the reputation of Poker Stars to manage what is sure to be a very successful and popular poker room.”

(E-mail Tom Somach at tomsomach@yahoo.com.) =A0