Reception before the Opening Ceremony

On April 2, the opening ceremony of "Chinese Film Week" was held in Cinematheque Tel Aviv. Mme. Gao Yanping, Chinese Ambassador to Israel, attended and delivered a speech. Mr. Ming Zhenjiang, head of the Chinese film delegation and Executive Director of the China Film Producers Association, staff of the Chinese Embassy in Israel, MK Dalia Itzik, Chairperson of the Kadima Faction of the Israeli Knesset, Mr. Ronen Plot, Director General of the Ministry of Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs of Israel and other more than 350 people from all walks of life attended the ceremony and watched the movie "Stand Still". Mr. Alon Gabuz, manager of the Cinematheque Tel Aviv hosted the ceremony.

Ambassador Mme. Gao Yanping delivering the speech

Ambassador Gao warmly greeted the audience in Hebrew.She congratulated the "Chinese Film Week" held in Israel, expressed warm welcome to the Chinese film delegation, and thanked the great efforts made by Cinematheque Tel Aviv and Israeli friends for their strong support to China-Israel relations. She said, "Chinese Film Week is an important and integral part of the series of events for celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Israel. The 6 films screened in Israel open 6 windows for Israeli public to know and understand Chinese culture, and build 6 bridges for further promoting understanding and friendship between the two peoples, and mutual political trust and pragmatic cooperation of the two countries". She wished the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations and friendship between the peoples will last forever.

With MK Dalia Itzik(Right)

MK Dalia Itzik, Chairperson of the Kadima Faction of the Israeli Knesset, congratulated the success of the Chinese Film Week.She said this year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Israel, Israel and China had 20 years of positive political, economic and cultural cooperation. The Chinese Film Week will strengthen cultural cooperation and reinforce the close ties between the two peoples. Israelis love Chinese people and the future of Sino-Israeli relations will be brighter. Mr. Ronen Plot, Director General of the Ministry of Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs of Israel, delivered his congratulations for the Chinese Film Week on behalf of the Ministry, hoped the event will futher promote the mutual understanding and friendship of the two peoples.

Mr. Ronen Plot, Director General of the Ministry of Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs, delivering the speech

Mr. Ming Zhenjiang, head of the Chinese film delegation and Eexecutive Director of the China Film Producers Association, said there have been continuous exchanges and cooperation in various fields between China and Israel since the diplomatic relations established 20 years ago, and the success of the Chinese Film Week will inject new vitality for cultural exchanges of the two countries. Chinese Film Week will screen 6 films, which have both historical and realistic themes, both famous historical figures and major events occurred in Chinese society today, helping the Israeli public understand the past and present of China by a wide range of topics

Mr. Ming Zhenjiang, head of the Chinese film delegation, delivering the speech

Chinese Film Week is one of the series of events to celebrate the 20th anniversary, and jointly organized by the Chinese Embassy in Israel, the Chinese State Administration of Radio, Film and Television and the Ministry of Culture, co-organized by the Israeli Cinematheque. 6 Chinese films, the message, Stand Still, Mulan, Forever Enthralled, Confucius and Bodyguards and Assassins will be screened from April 1 to 16 in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa.