Hi everyone,
My name is Ornit Avidar and this is my China–Israel blog.
Working and living in Hong Kong (HK) for four years, (2001-2005), as Commercial Attaché for the State of Israel, has enabled me to see China from within and without. HK opened my eyes to the opportunities for Israeli companies in/with China. Today after leaving my government position, and joining CIVC- China Israel Value Capital, a private Equity firm, which invests in Chinese companies that join venture with Israeli companies/technologies, http://www.civcfund.com/, I have the opportunity to continue bringing together these two great nations, continuing to promote Israeli technology in China and enjoying every minute of it. This relationship is very dear to my heart and that is why I decided to write this blog.
Sadly, until I came to HK in 2001 (very late, I know), I was completely unaware of China and its promise. Yes, I studied about China in the university (late 80's) and read some very interesting books about China and its culture, but they all related to Chinese history, especially the Cultural Revolution (not a pretty picture) and I could not know how it would affect my personal future and that of my country.
From the first day I set foot in HK, I began to understand and yes you can even say I had a revelation of the significance of China to Israel. As a diplomat I was lucky enough to be able to do something about it as well. (More about my experiences in HK, later on)
Beyond the great implication of the mutual relations between Israel and China (which deserves a chapter in itself), China as an emerging economic superpower has the ability of imposing new standards for the global markets and Israel's technology which has an enormous level of flexibility can compliment this effort. Collaboration is in both sides best interest.
In my blog I will be writing and discussing China-Israel relations on all its perspectives through my experiences in China, working as an Israeli, Woman and investor, dealing with cultural differences, and my efforts in getting Chinese and Israeli companies together.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
China - Israel Relations (the basics)
When thinking about the relations between China and Israel, many Israelis (yet not enough) will know why I think this subject is so important and understand the value of this connection to the continued development of the State of Israel. Many Chinese will also understand the significance of these relations and the history behind it. Other nationals might question the whole issue of the connection between such a massive country and a much smaller one, (one of the smallest countries in the world).
What do these two have in common and what brings them together for a long-term lasting relationship?
Well, as our former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said: "Together we are more than 1.3 billion people" Ha ha ha… Jokes aside, there is a lot in common between both countries and nations, historically and even more so future common interests.
The phrase which best expresses these relations is "mutual appreciation and respect". Already in the early 50's the late Prime Minister David Ben Gurion, had an insight to the potential of China and its importance to the State of Israel.
Mr. Shimon Perez, told me in one of his visits to HK, that Ben Gurion was anxious about China and stated: "they don't know us and this deeply concerns me". Already then, he understood the potential of China and was worried that they would not get to know us well. He then instructed his government to support the 'One China Policy', although China was far from being friendly to Israel at the time (also being the first country to allow the opening of a Palestinian embassy). He also instructed his government to keep good connections with China, which in retrospect led to the good relations today; the Chinese have a very long….memory span.
In the 80's even before Israel had full diplomatic relations with China, Israel developed an Agriculture farm and dairy farm at Yong Dian Li, outside of Beijing (today only the dairy farm is active). This, I believe is one of the strong foundations of our ties today, (Another one of course is the story of the small Jewish community in China which I will write about in the future). This project was very instrumental in how future relations had evolved and the understanding of the benefits of this relationship to both sides. Technologies used on that farm have assisted to open the eyes of the Chinese government in general and of Chinese farmers specifically to a more efficient way of farming. Technologies that utilize natural resources in a smart and economic way, that produce a much better yield (multiple yield of the local yield) and more. Till today Chinese government officials, as well as managers of private companies, mention this project to me which enforces how important this was in their perception of the relationship.
Eli (my Husband) and I went on an official tour to Tibet (leaving that conflict aside for a moment) in the summer of 2005 with a group of diplomats representing 8 countries - Mexico, Finland, Saudi Arabia to mention a few. One of our more spectacular moments were when everywhere we went the officials stated that they were very happy to receive the international delegates and especially the delegates from Israel, since (and every time it was a different story), a couple of years ago an Israeli businessman; scientist or other expert assisted in hydro power; business development or other matters. It made us both uncomfortable (political correctness) and full of pride at the same time. I remember thinking at that moment, that because of my countrymen's goodwill, curiosity and eagerness, people in this far away place have a very good image of Israelis and were eager to do business with us. They kept expressing their praise and eagerness to continue and work with Israel.
Having said that, this long term memory span can have a negative effect as well. The Falcon deal for instance will always haunt Israeli business people in China. In 2000 the Israeli government agreed to sell to China the Falcon surveillance system, due to American objection, Israel retracted on the deal causing much embarrassment on both sides. On the one hand the Chinese understood this balance of power recognizing the US's power over the small country which is under her wing, on the other hand they did not appreciate being stood up on this very significant deal. Since that time, Israel's reputation was damaged to the point where till today, 7 years later, there is still suspicion that Israelis will not follow through.
Historically, Official diplomatic relations were established eventually in January 1992. This was subsequent to the Agriculture & Milk project I mentioned previously and others like it as well as secret meeting between the foreign ministers of the two countries in HK. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two sides have frequently conducted reciprocal visits at various levels, and have strengthened ties in such fields as politics, business, education, culture, technological cooperation and agriculture.
(See the links to the embassy website on your right)
(Next week I will share some of our experiences in HK)
What do these two have in common and what brings them together for a long-term lasting relationship?
Well, as our former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said: "Together we are more than 1.3 billion people" Ha ha ha… Jokes aside, there is a lot in common between both countries and nations, historically and even more so future common interests.
The phrase which best expresses these relations is "mutual appreciation and respect". Already in the early 50's the late Prime Minister David Ben Gurion, had an insight to the potential of China and its importance to the State of Israel.
Mr. Shimon Perez, told me in one of his visits to HK, that Ben Gurion was anxious about China and stated: "they don't know us and this deeply concerns me". Already then, he understood the potential of China and was worried that they would not get to know us well. He then instructed his government to support the 'One China Policy', although China was far from being friendly to Israel at the time (also being the first country to allow the opening of a Palestinian embassy). He also instructed his government to keep good connections with China, which in retrospect led to the good relations today; the Chinese have a very long….memory span.
In the 80's even before Israel had full diplomatic relations with China, Israel developed an Agriculture farm and dairy farm at Yong Dian Li, outside of Beijing (today only the dairy farm is active). This, I believe is one of the strong foundations of our ties today, (Another one of course is the story of the small Jewish community in China which I will write about in the future). This project was very instrumental in how future relations had evolved and the understanding of the benefits of this relationship to both sides. Technologies used on that farm have assisted to open the eyes of the Chinese government in general and of Chinese farmers specifically to a more efficient way of farming. Technologies that utilize natural resources in a smart and economic way, that produce a much better yield (multiple yield of the local yield) and more. Till today Chinese government officials, as well as managers of private companies, mention this project to me which enforces how important this was in their perception of the relationship.
Eli (my Husband) and I went on an official tour to Tibet (leaving that conflict aside for a moment) in the summer of 2005 with a group of diplomats representing 8 countries - Mexico, Finland, Saudi Arabia to mention a few. One of our more spectacular moments were when everywhere we went the officials stated that they were very happy to receive the international delegates and especially the delegates from Israel, since (and every time it was a different story), a couple of years ago an Israeli businessman; scientist or other expert assisted in hydro power; business development or other matters. It made us both uncomfortable (political correctness) and full of pride at the same time. I remember thinking at that moment, that because of my countrymen's goodwill, curiosity and eagerness, people in this far away place have a very good image of Israelis and were eager to do business with us. They kept expressing their praise and eagerness to continue and work with Israel.
Having said that, this long term memory span can have a negative effect as well. The Falcon deal for instance will always haunt Israeli business people in China. In 2000 the Israeli government agreed to sell to China the Falcon surveillance system, due to American objection, Israel retracted on the deal causing much embarrassment on both sides. On the one hand the Chinese understood this balance of power recognizing the US's power over the small country which is under her wing, on the other hand they did not appreciate being stood up on this very significant deal. Since that time, Israel's reputation was damaged to the point where till today, 7 years later, there is still suspicion that Israelis will not follow through.
Historically, Official diplomatic relations were established eventually in January 1992. This was subsequent to the Agriculture & Milk project I mentioned previously and others like it as well as secret meeting between the foreign ministers of the two countries in HK. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two sides have frequently conducted reciprocal visits at various levels, and have strengthened ties in such fields as politics, business, education, culture, technological cooperation and agriculture.
(See the links to the embassy website on your right)
(Next week I will share some of our experiences in HK)
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