China cultural center opens in Israel to boost exchange, mutual understanding

The first China Cultural Center in West Asia opened in Israel's central city of Tel Aviv on Sunday, aiming to spread the Chinese culture and facilitate exchange and cooperation between the two countries.

An artist shows clay-sculpting skills in the China Cultural Center in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Nov. 26, 2017. The first China Cultural Center in West Asia opened in Israel's central city of Tel Aviv on Sunday, aiming to spread the Chinese culture and facilitate exchange and cooperation between the two countries. [Photo/Xinhua]

The center, also the 35th of its kind worldwide, sits in Tel Aviv's business district and covers a total area of about 1,000 square meters, with facilities such as a multi-purpose hall, training rooms, a library and an audio-visual area.

It is designed to host events such as art performances, cultural exhibitions, academic seminars and other activities to allow the Israelis a better understanding of the Chinese culture.

China's Vice Culture Minister Zhang Xu said at the opening ceremony that the relationship between the two peoples determines the direction of the ties between two countries.

The establishment of the Chinese cultural center in Tel Aviv marks a new phase in both cultural and people-to-people exchanges between China and Israel, which is also an important achievement grown from their friendly cooperation since the establishment of diplomatic ties 25 years ago, the Chinese official said.

"The center is sure to further bring closer the two peoples," said Raphael Gamzou, deputy director general of Israeli's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Israeli Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein sent a congratulatory video to the launch of the center, in which he said the Chinese cultural center would bring closer the two peoples and promote their mutual understanding and friendship.

At the opening ceremony, musicians from China and Israel staged a string quartet, an opera duet and a harp solo to more than 100 guests, who also enjoyed the "China Story" photo exhibition, "Five Years in China" and "China Cultural Journey" documentaries, and watched the dancing robots, paper-cut, clay sculpture and other live performances.