On the evening of February 21st, H.E. Mr. Zhao Jun, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the State of Israel, hosted a music reception for celebrating Chinese Lunar Year of Tiger and the 18th anniversary of China-Israel diplomatic relations. H.E. Mr. Ehud Barak, Deputy Prime Minister and the Defence Minister of Israel, and his wife, Mr. Stanley Fischer, Governor of the Bank of Israel, and his wife, H.E. Mr. Amos Nadai, Israeli Ambassador to China, and his wife, Mr. Hagai Shagrir, Director of Pacific Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel, Ms. Ora Namir as well as Mr. Moshe Ben Yaakov, former Israeli ambassadors to China, together with about other 120 guests from all walks of life in Israel attended the music reception. Mr. Gil Shohat, a well-known pianist, composer and conductor in Israel and the world, was invited to perform in the piano recital with the theme of Pagodas in the Moonlight.

Ambassador Zhao and Vice Prime Minister Ehud Barak	Ambassador Zhao Jun with Governor Stanley Fischer and his wife and Ambassador Amos Nadai and his wife

Ambassador Zhao Jun delivered a speech at the beginning of the music reception. He said, "Eighteen years ago, precisely on January 24th, 1992 in Beijing, diplomatic relations were officially established between the People's Republic of China and the State of Israel. David Levy as Israel's then Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Qian Qichen as China's then State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs, signed the Joint Communique on behalf of the two governments. This year, we mark and celebrate 'chai shanim' (18 years). To commemorate that historical moment and to celebrate the Chinese lunar calendar of New Year of Tiger, tonight we are gathered here for this special reception and the piano recital entitled 'Pagodas in the Moonlight' ". He continued to note, "Looking back at the 18 years of diplomatic relations between China and Israel, we feel proud to say that the past 18 years brought huge benefits for our two countries and two peoples. In terms of high level exchanges, many important visits were accomplished. This year, H.E. President Shimon Peres will visit China and attend the Shanghai Expo. Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu and other ministers will also pay a visit to China soon. Friendly cooperation between our two sides is also expanding continuously. Honored guests here all have contributed to the flourishing relation between our two countries."

Ambassador Zhao delivering a speech

Ambassador Zhao Jun pointed out that culture is a bridge and music is a universally language. He said, "In this October, we will invite Ms. Ha Hui, a famous Chinese singer to come to perform in Israel for celebrating the 18th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Israel and the 61st anniversary of the founding the People's Republic of China. Ms. Ha Hui is known at home and abroad as the founder of New Courtly Music, which shows Chinese classic music and poems with modern music instruments. One of her performances will stage at the Roman Theater in Beit She'an. Based on ancient Chinese sources including Confucius which has deep connection to Jewish philosophy, Ms. Ha Hui will show the essence of Li, one concept in traditional Chinese culture, in terms of recital and dance. Ha Hui will come to Israel in this April with a CCTV crew to prepare a really good tourism material on Israel for broadcast in China and other places. " Ambassador Zhao Jun expressed his sincere thanks to Mr. Gil Shohat for his wonderful performance of piano recital.

H.E. Mr. Amos Nadai, Israeli Ambassador to China also delivered a warm speech at the music reception. He said, "The Chinese and Jewish nations have a long history of contacts and friendship. At present, China is developing quickly. It is strategically important for Israel to develop the friendly relationship with the People's Republic of China. The year of 2010 is the 18th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and China. In order to promote the relations between the two countries, the Israeli Embassy in China has also carried out many projects so far, one of them was the cardiac surgery for 18 Chinese children by Israeli surgeons." He hopes that the exchanges in the cultural field could enhance the understanding and friendship between the peoples of the two countries.

Ambassador Nadai delivering a speech

Audiences and critics in Israel and the world alike regard the youthful Gil Shohat as one of the leading Israeli musicians of his generation. This year, the prestigious Forbes Magazine, together with all three of Israel's major newspapers (Yedioth, Aharonoth, Ma'ariv and Ha'aretz) declared Shohat to be the most important and influential personality in classical music in Israel. In June 2009, the French government named him a Knight in the prestigious Order of Arts and Letter.

The concert	Large audience

Mr. Gil Shohat

Before the music reception, Ambassador Zhou Jun accepted the interviews from Channel 2 of Israeli National TV Station and Yedioth Ahronot, Israeli's largest newspaper.

Rich and delicious Chinese food was served to the guests at the music reception. The venue had been decorated with colorful electric lights, large red lanterns, big Chinese knots and couplets, creating a festival atmosphere for the reception. All the guests cherished the friendly cooperation and exchanges in all fields and wish the better prospect of the relations between China and Israel.

Channel 2 interviewing Ambassador Zhao	Ambassador Zhao interviewed by Yedioth Ahronoth