Changsha: 4:00 p.m., Nov, 2nd, the opening ceremony of the Picture-Exhibition Tour Israel and China---Ancient Civilization, Friends and Partners was held at the Academic Hall of HNU’s Zhishan Building. Li Yiheng, Vice Chairman of National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (NCCPPCC) Hunan Committee, Avishay Gottdiener, Academic and Information Attaché of the Embassy of Israel in China, Zhang Guoji, Chairmen of University Council of Hunan Normal University, cut the ribbon to inaugurate the exhibition and later visited the exhibition with other guests.

HUN’s Vice President Jiang Hongxin hosted the ceremony. Duan Beisheng, Deputy Director of the Cultural Exchange Department of Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) read out the congratulation letter of Chen Haosu, Chairman of CPAFFC. Chen Haosu extended his wish to the exhibition’s success, hoping to further the mutual cultural exchange and cooperation. Xiao Xiangqing, Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs Office and Overseas Chinese Affairs of Hunan Province，stated in his address that this exhibition was a testimony of the Israel-China friendly exchange , also expressed his expectation of future better cooperation between our two nations. Avishay Gottdiener recalled the history of Israel-China friendly exchange emotionally, wished the exhibition a great success.

The exhibition, with its abundant historical pictures, materials and creative forms, presented the history of friendly exchanges between the Chinese and Israeli peoples to the audience. Devoted to several different topics, the exhibition demonstrated the harmonious life led by the Jewish people together with the local Chinese at various periods in such cities as Kaifeng , Tianjin, Shanghai and etc, the touching story of Ho Fengshan who saved a large number of Jewish refugees during the World WarⅡfor which he is regarded as the Chinese “ Righteous among the nations”. In the same manner, the exhibition will show the sweet fruits of the bilateral exchanges since the establishment of the diplomatic relations between Israel and China.

This year marks the 15^th anniversary of China-Israel diplomatic relations. It is firmly believed that the exhibition will promote the development of our bilateral relations and enhance the mutual understanding and friendship between our two nations.

Personages concerned from national and provincial CPAFFC, provincial NCCPPCC, and provincial culture organizations were also presented at the opening ceremony.

The exhibition at HNU, co-sponsored by Chinese People’s Association for the Friendship with Foreign Countries, Embassy of Israel to China, Hunan People’s Association for the Friendship with Foreign Countries and HNU is the third stop of nationwide exhibition tour, and it will be on shown for a whole week.