Former Israeli President Peres Dedicates Friendship Melody to Chinese People

Former Israeli President Shimon Peres (L3 in front) and Chinese Ambassador to Israel Zhan Yongxin (L2 in front) watch the video of the song "Chinese Melody" at a ceremony to celebrate the Chinese New Year in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Wednesday, February 3, 2016. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com]

Former Israeli President Shimon Peres has sent New Year greetings to the Chinese people, by dedicating a song he wrote eulogizing the friendship of the two peoples.

The song "Chinese Melody", sung by a Chinese singer and an Israeli girl, was published on Wednesday in Tel Aviv with the presence of Shimon Peres and the Chinese ambassador to Israel.

It was based on a poem written some six years ago by Peres who was Israeli President at the time.

Twelve-year-old Meilee Tal was the Israeli singer of the song.

Her mother says the idea of the song came during a recent chat with the composer.

"We were talking about China and about Israel, and we were talking about Meilee. Then he told me about this song. And I was thinking that it can be a very good idea to record Meilee in Chinese singing this song together with a Chinese singer and to give it as a gift for Mr. Shimon Peres. So we recorded the song in Chinese and we went to his office. And he was really excited to hear this."

Peres spoke highly of China's achievements in the past decades and the friendship between China and Israel.

"China is all the time innovating new things. Every year you are making progress, and you are offering the world a good example how to escape poverty and ignorance, and become one of the two major pillars of our time. I'm very glad the relations between China and Israel are all the time growing in the content and in future."

The Chinese Ambassador to Israel Zhan Yongxin expressed appreciation for the efforts and contributions to promoting the relationship between China and Israel made by Shimon Peres.

"Through this beautiful song, every Chinese could sense Your Excellency's profound friendship towards China and savor Your Excellency's extra caring about the China-Israel relations. And I strongly believe that this song will be popular in China and mark a special episode in the exchange history between the Chinese people and the Jewish people."

The song has also become popular with the younger generations like Chinese student Feng Xiao who is now studying in Israel.

"The content of this song is to eulogize the ancient friendship between China and Israel, which started a long time ago. However, the melody is very young. It means that this friendship will continue among the new generations of our two countries."

The dedication of the song was timed to coincide with the upcoming Chinese New Year.

Peres extended his greetings to all Chinese people.

"Music speaks better than words. Everybody can sing it and you feel that all of us sing together. I wish each of you, and all of you, to enjoy a happy year, a happy future, for a great and a promising China. Xinnian Kuaile! (Happy New Year!) "