Cultural event in Israel helps enhance Sino-Israeli friendship
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"Experience China in Israel" cultural event, which began 11 days ago and will conclude at the end of this month, is coming off as planned, yet it is proved that the event has been well received by Israelis and helps enhance the friendship between the two countries.
Since 1999, China has held the event of "Experience China" in many countries including Germany, the United States, Russia and South Korea to promote cultural exchanges. These events have been well received by overseas governments, news media and the general public.
"Experience China in Israel" event, jointly held by China's State Council Information Office and Israeli Foreign Ministry, is dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 17th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Composed of a series of activities including performances, picture exhibitions, a film week and a symposium on China, Israel and the world economy, the event, which formally kicked off Saturday evening in Tel Aviv Opera House, is expected to allow Israelis to see Chinese culture and China's developments and achievements over the past six decades and promote Sino-Israeli friendship.
Well received in Israel
The following vivid examples serve to demonstrate the event's popularity among Israelis.
The 86-year-old Israeli President Shimon Peres, who initially planned to watch the first part of the "My Dream" performance staged in Tel Aviv Opera House by China Disabled People's Art Troupe, followed it through instead and lauded the performance as "the most unbelievable beauty in the world."
The repertoire dance "Thousand-hand Bodhisattva" performed by 21 disabled Chinese relying on the assistance of two sign language conductors symbolized the spirit of the Chinese people and the power of unity, said the Israeli leader after the performance, adding that one thousand hands can work like one and produce joint strength, which is the power of solidarity.
For Gili Tor, a third-year student at Reidmon College in Tel Aviv, the China-themed picture exhibition entitled "A Close Look at China," which is held at a venerable museum in the Old Yafo area in Israel's Tel Aviv-Yafo metropolis, is particularly attractive.
On display are hundreds of pictures offering a panorama of China's unprecedented strides from an impoverished and backward country toward a prosperous and modern one, with their contents relating to agriculture, industry, education, medical care and many other sectors.
"I am fascinated by the Chinese culture and has always been interested in the country and its people," said Tor who has never been to China, adding that the exhibition did give him a close look at the East Asian country.
Drawing Israelis' admiration for China
In addition to its popularity, "Experience China in Israel" also drew Israelis' admiration for China's accomplishments made over the past years.
Addressing "China, Israel and World Economy Symposium" in Tel Aviv University on Monday, Bank of Israel Governor Stanley Fischer hailed China's development during the past 60 years, especially since its reform and opening up over 30 years ago.
It is a miracle in the world's economic history, said the internationally renowned central banker, adding in an exclusive interview with Xinhua that China's unprecedented growth is not only reflected in the economic figures, but also "in the streets," "in the way people are dressed" and "in the buildings."
Naama Meirovitz, an archaeologist working in the museum where " A Close Look at China" is held, said that after seeing these pictures, which showcase the significant achievements the Chinese people have made in the past 60 years, one will be given an impulse to visit China.
"It is very interesting to see what the future holds for China, " she said, adding that "It must be very proud to be a Chinese."
Oded Ofek, a 34-year-old Tel Aviv resident and a website consultant, put his admiration in an interesting and impressive way, saying that "I hope to live another 60 years to see what China will be."
Helping enhance bilateral friendship
Though it is hard to gauge the exact impact of "Experience China in Israel" on Sino-Israeli ties, it is beyond doubt that the largest ever cultural exchange event between the two countries helps increase understanding and deepen friendship.
As Tor put it, from the pictures on display, "I can tell the Chinese people are happy and live a peaceful life."
Wang Chen, Chinese Minister of the State Council Information Office, said Tuesday during an exclusive interview with Xinhua on the sidelines of the event that cultural exchanges now ongoing in Israel present a multi-facet China to Israeli people, and thus help bring the two peoples closer and deepen their friendship.
The event allows Israelis to know China's social transforms, economic developments and the accomplishments achieved especially since its reform and opening up over 30 years ago.
"Culture is like water which moistens everything silently," said Wang, noting that "culture exchanges can make hearts communicate, can help see the soul of a people, and can plant roots deeply in the hearts of the people."
The culture exchanges can produce great benefits and can not be replaced by economic and trade cooperation and other bilateral activities, he stressed, adding that they will help boost the political relations between China and Israel and "will sow the seed for further enhancing bilateral ties."
"Seeing is believing," Wang said, noting that only through contacts, communication and exchanges, can the two nations know each other better, more comprehensively and authentically.
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