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'My Greatest Gain Is Understanding of China': Israeli Ambassador to China
Following are highlights of the interview by Our Staff Reporters Chen Te'an and Liu Shuiming with Israeli Ambassador to China.
Israeli Ambassador to China Ms. Ora Namir, who is going to leave her post for home, gladly granted Our Staff Reporters an audience in her office one day recently in Beijing.
The formal establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Israel in January 1992 opened a new page in the history of the relations between the two countries and between the Chinese and the Jew. The four years during her performance of duty in Beijing represent an important period featuring the sound and rapid development of Sino-Israel relations. She has made positive contributions to promoting Sino-Israel cooperation and friendship between the people of the two countries. When recalling the four years of work and life here, she said with emotion that at that time her greatest wish was to serve as an ambassador to China, today, her greatest gain is that she has got a deeper understanding of the Chinese people. In her opinion, the current Israel-China relationship is very good. Politically, heads of state of the two countries have had exchange of visits. President Jiang Zemin's recent visit to Israel has pushed the Israel-China ties to a new height. She said, "the visit is very friendly and fruitful, ended in complete success". As Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak has said that President Jiang's visit is an extremely important event for Israel.
Ora Namir said China has a population of nearly 1.3 billion, and it is not easy to administer such a large country. But China's top leaders are a responsible, experienced and united collective, they carry on Deng Xiaoping Theory, effectively and steadily pushing China's reform and opening drive forward. She said, "Everywhere I go, I find China is prospering, I believe China will develop even faster in the future."
With regard to Sino-Israeli economic and trade relations, there are numerous domains for cooperation between the two sides and abundant results have been gained in this regard. Last year, bilateral trade volume was around US$680 million. Ora Namir said although the figure was small, according to the estimate made by Israeli minister of industry and trade who visited China two months ago, the Israeli-China annual trade volume will soon possibly hit US$1 billion and is expected to double in the next decade. Ora Namir went on to say: although the commodities Israel imported from China are limited, this situation is changing. Earlier when she returned to Israel, she saw China-made electric appliances on the shelves, such as television sets, this shows the quality of Chinese products is good, otherwise they would have no access to the Israeli market.
Israel has infertile land and shortages of resources. For more than five decades since its foundation, Israel has persistently followed the road leading to a strong country by relying on science and technology, it has paid attention to education and the training of personnel, as a result, its economy has developed rapidly and its hi-tech industries have attracted the world's attention.
China is a large agricultural country. Developing China's cooperation with Israel which possesses advanced experience and technology for developing hi-tech agriculture under adverse circumstances is of important significance. During the interview, the ambassador repeatedly stressed that agriculture and the utilization of water resources are the two key areas with the greatest potential for the development of cooperation between Israel and China. She disclosed that at present, the best Israeli agricultural companies have entered various parts of China, helping China develop agriculture. The Israel-China Demonstration Farm established on the outskirts of Beijing has produced desirable exemplary effect.
The ambassador highly appreciates the Chinese government's strategy for the large-scale development of the western region, thinking that this strategy demonstrates the true nature of socialism. She said that prior to the strategy was put forward, she had done her best to urge some Israeli companies to invest in Xinjiang, Gansu, Qinghai, Shaanxi and other relatively backward provinces and regions. After the strategy for the large-scale development of the western region has become China's national policy, Israel will encourage more Israeli firms to establish cooperative projects there. She continued that Israel is willing to cooperate with China to set up commercial demonstration farms in two or three northwestern provinces and regions, their experiences can spread to surrounding provinces and regions.
Ora Namir said: although Israel and China are far apart, I cherish profound feelings for the Chinese people. Through my visits across the country, I find the Chinese people are enthusiastic, diligent, fond of learning and hardworking, leaving a deep impression on me. Letting 80 percent of rural children in remote Chinese provinces and regions go to school is a terrific achievement. Ms. Ora Namir likes children very much, she herself has subsidized six Chinese children going to school.
At the end of the interview, Ms. Ora Namir wished that China will develop continuously and grow in strength and Israel-China friendship further with each passing day.
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