Israel-Asia Center

May, 2010

Interview & Photos: Rebecca Zeffert & David Harris

Listen to full interview

Key quotes from interview

On the Expo and what it means for China:
"The Expo is important to China because China and the world are facing a financial crisis. A lot of countries are still in difficulties, and we do hope that this Expo will give great impetus to the renewal and recovery of the international economy."

On the sustainability challenges facing China’s growing cities:
"While the urbanization ratio skyrocketed from 18% in 1978 to 48% in 2010, the Chinese Government and people have been facing some significant challenges in the urbanization process. For example, environmental protection. Although the government attaches huge importance to this issue and took a lot of measures to curb pollution, due to vehicle emissions (nowadays everyday in Beijing alone, we have 20,000 new vehicles), [still] we face a very challenging task in controlling pollutions in cities."

On the issue of migrant workers in China's cities:
"Another example is harmonization between local citizens and temporary immigrants. Migrant workers from the rural areas now constitute a very important factor in the growth of the Chinese economy. Although the government has adopted many measures to solve these people's difficulties in daily life, such as healthcare, schooling of their children in the cities, still we need to do more."

On the development of Israel-China relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1992:
"When we established diplomatic relations in 1992, trade volume between our two countries was only US$50 million. Trade volume of last year reached more than $5 billion, and the trade volume of 2008 was even bigger – US$6.4 billion. China now is Israel’s largest trading partner in Asia and the third largest in the world."

"China is doing well, Israel is doing well, but we need to join hands together to combine our advantages: Israel's innovation technology with China's huge market."

On a political level:
"In our political relations, I believe that we should work more to strengthen, to enhance mutual trust... to strengthen the mechanism of dialogue between the two ministries of foreign affairs and between other ministries."

"There were distortions by some local news media – even by some politicians. They thought that Mr. Netanyahu is not welcome to China. It's not true. We have been coordinating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the timing of the visit."

"Israel is a key country in the Middle East. We attach great importance to each other. So, we know that to further enhance and develop our relationship is conducive to world peace and stability and peace in the Middle East."

On Jewish-China relations:
"The friendship between Jewish people and the Chinese people withstood the test of history and is characterized by sincerity and mutual assistance and sympathy...I'm confident Shanghai will continue to be a bridge and a focal point of cooperation and friendship between Israel and China and between the Jewish people and the Chinese people."

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