Israeli Consulate in Shanghai celebrates 25th birthday

A ceremony to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Israeli Consulate in Shanghai was held on Monday.

This year also marks the 27th anniversary of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between China and Israel.

"When thinking about the future, we will never forget the past when Shanghai provided shelter for thousands of Jewish people during the Second World War (1939-45)," said Eyal Propper, Consul General of Israel in Shanghai, during the ceremony.

"Shanghai is a great symbol where we see the close relationships between the Chinese and the Jewish. The relationship between China and Israel is built on people-people exchanges, one of the most important part of which is the change of tourism.

"We hope that the activity today will promote tourism and mutual understanding between the two countries, and that more people can travel to Israel."

Children from China and Israel sung Amen together at the ceremony. The audience also enjoyed a sand painting video, during which an Israeli dancer performed a dance, as well as a concert performance by Israeli singer and songwriter Gilad Segev.

According to the consulate, Israel welcomed more than 105,000 Chinese tourists last year.