Professor Shai began his visit by a lecture to PKU Hebrew students on the history of China-Israeli relations. Professor Shai drew many parallels between the Jewish and the Chinese people, and pointed out the state of Israel was among the first nations in the world to recognize the People's Republic of China. However, due to complicated reasons, Israeli-Chinese relations entered a relatively low period until 1992 Upon China's reform and opening-up, and China's rise in the world over recent years, Prof. Shai expressed optimism regarding the future of China and Chinese-Israeli relations.

After the lecture, Professor Lin Jianhua, Executive Vice President of Peking University met with Vice-Rector at the President Office. Both sides agreed to strengthen the inter-university ties through further exchange of visits and personnels.


By Jeremy Goldstein