Op Eds & Articles
60 years after the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the Israel-Asia Center speaks to some of the people shaping Israel-China relations in the fields of diplomacy, business, education and culture, on their perspectives of the past – and prospects for the future.
Israel-Asia Center: How do you view China’s relationship with Israel?
On the occasion of the 17th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries, I feel glad to say that the development of bilateral relations maintained a good momentum.
The past seventeen years have witnessed deepened mutual trust, enhanced economic and trade cooperation, expanded cultural and technological exchanges and strengthened coordination on regional and international affairs.
Starting from October 12th and lasting until end of October, “Experience China in Israel”, the largest cultural exchange program in the last seventeen years, was held in Israel. This program, co-sponsored by the Chinese Information Office of the State Council and the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, marks another milestone in our bilateral ties and will help to bring our two peoples closer. The program was composed of several eye-catching highlights among which are two artistic performances presented by China Disabled People’s Art Troupe and Beijing Modern Dance Company, two photo exhibitions featuring “Modern China” and the “History of Friendly Relations between China and Israel”, one Chinese Movie Week and one Chinese TV program Week, and last but not the least, a symposium on “China, Israel and World Economy”.
On the evening of Octover 17th, H.E. President Shimon Peres and the Minister of Culture and Sport Ms. Limor Livnat attended the opening ceremony of this cultural event. H.E. Mr. Wang Chen, Minister of the Information Office of the State Council, and I myself attended most of the events. During the performances entitled “My Dream” by China Handicapped Art Troupe, when Chinese disabled artists presented Hebrew songs such as “Latet”, “Hava Naglia” etc, all the audience burst into huge applause and at the end of the performance, when the disabled artists went to the stage with small national flags of China and Israel in their hands, people in the hall all stood up voluntarily for a long time, expressing respect for the artists and support of the friendship between our two peoples. These scenes vividly reflect that the friendship between our two countries and two peoples are deep-rooted and will grow broader, better and larger.
On October 19th, China Radio International, China’s official overseas radio service launched its Hebrew Language website in Tel Aviv. On October 18th, the Chinese City of Wuhan signed a deal with Ashdod concerning the establishment of a sister-city relationship. All these represent concrete steps forward in bilateral relations.
As for economy and trade, the past 17 years have seen a 120 times growth of bilateral trade volume between China and Israel. China is now Israel’s largest trading partner in Asia and the third largest trading partner in the world. More than 200 Israeli enterprises have invested and began operation in more than twenty provinces in China in various fields like agriculture, telecommunications, chemicals, medical care, insurance, environment protection etc. I believe that as time passes by, the mutual-beneficial cooperation in all fields between our two countries will grow ever deeper and more fruitful.
IAC: China is a massive country and Israel is so small, but do you see much in common?
It’s true that China and Israel are dramatically different in terms of many aspects. However, despite our differences in terms of area, population and political systems, we also share many things in common. For example, both China and Israel are countries with profound history, both created spectacular civilizations which date back to thousands of years. Both nations had the history of being suppressed or persecuted, both peoples are intelligent and diligent. Historically, there was a strong link between the two peoples.
Over a thousand years ago, mutual exchanges between the two peoples began. During the Second World War, China’s city of Shanghai accepted and provided assistance to more than 30,000 Jews who fled from Nazi persecution in Europe. That part of history constitutes one of the most moving chapters of friendship and mutual assistance in human history.
IAC: What about potential for tourism in both directions?
In 1994, China and Israel signed an agreement in the field of tourism cooperation. In 2005, China declared Israel as one of the overseas destination countries for Chinese citizens. In 2007, the two countries signed a Memorandum concerning the implementation of Chinese tourists’ visit to Israel. Nowadays, more and more Chinese and Israeli people are visiting each others’ country as tourists. In 2008, about 31,000 Israelis applied for Chinese tourist visas. With its huge population, China is a big potential market for Israeli tourism. I believe that as time passes by and as the Middle East Peace Process moves on, more and more Chinese tourists will come to visit Israel, and China’s door on the other hand is always open to Israeli tourists. The long term prospect of bilateral tourism cooperation is promising.
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