On the evening of March 3rd, an opening ceremony of the exhibition on A Close Look at China was held in the branch of Reidman International College in Be'er Sheva, a southern city in Israel. The opening ceremony was hosted by Ms. Sally Reidman, Deputy President of the college. H.E. Mr. Zhao Jun, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the State of Israel, and H.E. Mr. Tal Elal, Deputy Mayor of the municipality of Be'er Sheva attended the ceremony and delivered speeches respectively.

Ambassador Zhao talking with Deputy President Reidman and Deputy Mayor Elal

In his speech, Ambassador Zhao Jun said, "The Medical College is one of the largest of its kind in Israel, enrolling hundreds of students from different parts of Israel every year. The Chinese Medicine Department in the College is one of the important sections, which plays an active role in teaching local students the basic theory and philosophy about Traditional Chinese Medicine. As Traditional Chinese Medicine is a major component of traditional Chinese culture, I would like to express my sincere thanks to the College for promoting Chinese culture."

Ambassador Zhao delivering a speech

Ambassador Zhao Jun added, "In order to promote the teaching of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Israel, our government continues to offer "Chinese Government Scholarship" to Israel for encouraging local teachers and students of this field to go to China for further studying. In the past two years, the teachers and students from the College, who got the Scholarship, have improved their academic level of Traditional Chinese Medicine greatly. This year, Chinese side is ready to provide the Scholarship to your College, too. I would like to express my warm congratulations to those teachers and students who won the Scholarship."

Ambassador Zhao Jun concluded, "On the occasion of the 18th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between China and Israel and the 61st anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the exhibition on A Close Look at China is jointly held by the Chinese Embassy and Reidman International College. Great changes have taken place in China during the past 61 years, especially the past 30 years. This exhibition presents our memories of those changes and development, as is illustrated in the photographs about China's urban and rural construction, its people's lives, the traditional culture and the Beijing Olympic Games. This exhibition represents an invitation from the hospitable Chinese people to the Israeli people for a close look at China."

Ms. Reidman said, "A friendly relation between Reidman College and the Chinese Embassy has been maintained for 15 years. Every year, teachers and students are selected to go to China for studying and practicing the theories of Tradition Chinese Medicine. Some teachers and students in the College have won Chinese Government Scholarship for improving their academic level in this field in China." Ms. Reidman expressed her heartfelt thanks to the Chinese Embassy for the persist support to the education of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the College.

Deputy President Reidman delivering a speech

Mr. Elal said, "It is highly appreciated that the Chinese Embassy actively supports the Israeli education and brings us the photograph exhibition about China. This is a very good opportunity for the residents in our city to have a better view about China's development and its people. Mutual friendship between the peoples of both countries can also be enhanced."

Deputy Mayor Elal delivering a speech

Ms. Fang Qing, an Israeli Chinese dancer, was also invited to perform the Chinese folk dance. She illustrated the characteristics and dancing styles of the Chinese folk dance by performing beautifully and elegantly. Over 150 guests gave her warm applause for her excellent dancing and detailed explanation.

Ms. Fang Qing performing Chinese ethnic dances

The exhibition on A Close Look at China will be shown in the branch of Reidman Medical College in Be'er Sheva for two weeks.

Exhibition pictures