China Cultural Festival opened in Jerusalem Friday (May 25) to mark the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Israel.

The opening performances of the feast was presented by the renowned Wuhan Acrobatic Troupe of China with the acrobatic show Heroes, which showcases ancient Chinese heroic stars from different eras, such as the legendary Mulan, the warriors and horses of Emperor Qin, and Shaolin kung fu masters.

Besides the acrobatic show, a number of different Chinese cultural events are also expected to be held in Israel, including Chinese folk dance, folk music and songs, arts and crafts, photo exhibitions, plays and movies.

The festival, which is jointly held by Chinese and Israeli governments, will last for about six months until November, during which, more than 200 performers from all over China will be coming to the Jewish nation.

Both Chinese and Israeli governments have attached great importance on the event.

In his congratulatory letter to the festival, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said "both the Chinese people and the Jewish people have created time-honored civilizations and splendid cultures. During the past 15 years of diplomatic relations, China and Israel have witnessed remarkable progress in our bilateral relationship of all fields."

He added "as the Chinese artists bring rich and diversified Chinese culture and arts to Israel for the China Cultural Festival, I am convinced that cultural exchange and interaction between our two countries will further enhance the mutual understanding and friendship between our two peoples."

Expressing his greetings on the festival, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said in his letter that Israel attributes great importance to Israel-China relations.

He said that "I am pleased that the people of Israel will have the opportunity to participate in these events in the framework of the Israeli Chinese Culture Festival, and be exposed to such an ancient and much admired culture."

In the past 15 years, bilateral relations between China and Israel have witnessed a rapid development and scored remarkable achievements.

On the political level, China and Israel have all along attached much importance to each other and have worked to build mutual trust in bilateral, regional and international affairs.

The bilateral trade volume between the two nations has increased from 50 million U.S. dollars to 3.88 billion dollars over the past 15 years, with an average annual growth rate of 40 percent.

Currently, there are more than 800 Israeli commercial companies doing business in China, among which, more than 200 have set up branch companies.

As for culture, China and Israel have exchanges in performing art, music, exhibition and film festivals.

Israelis: Chinese acrobatics, "such an amazing performance"

"Heroes", the showcase performed by the internationally renowned troupe, placed traditional Chinese acrobatic techniques with rich Chinese heritage and culture, bringing a fresh new experience to the audience at the Chinese acrobatic show in the Jerusalem International Convention Center.(Xinhua Photo/Guo Lei)

By Zhu Jianhui, Hua Chunyu

"It was such an amazing performance," a middle-aged Israeli woman named only Orit said delightedly on Friday afternoon after seeing a Chinese acrobatic show in the Jerusalem International Convention Center.

Breathtaking acrobatic skills, dulcet traditional Chinese music, elegant ancient costumes combined with other artistic elements in the performance by China's Wuhan Acrobatic Troupe (WAT) deeply amused Israeli audience.

"Heroes", the showcase performed by the internationally renowned troupe, placed such traditional Chinese acrobatic techniques as lithe movement, plate spinning, skipping hoops in different historic background, with rich Chinese heritage and culture, bringing a fresh new experience to the audience.

Orit, who works for a publishing house and has been learning the Chinese language for years, told Xinhua that "they (Chinese performers) always bring us unexpected excitement one after another."

In addition to the captivating performance, "I also found some familiar Chinese cultural elements in the show," she added.

Orit is not the only Israeli who are interested in the Chinese acrobatic performance. there are many others.

Esther, a retired teacher, came to see "Heroes" with her 7-year-old grandson. "It is not my first time seeing Chinese acrobatic show," she told Xinhua.

She said that she had found WAT infused a number of modern stage techniques into the show, bringing the art of Chinese acrobatics to new heights, adding "it reflects the big progress and changes happening in China."

Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, accompanied by Chinese Ambassador to Israel Zhao Jun, also attended the show. At the end of the show, they mounted the stage to congratulate the performers.

"Heroes" by WAT was the opening performance of a China Cultural Festival in Israel, which opened in the meantime to mark the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Besides the acrobatic show, a number of different Chinese cultural events are also expected to be held in Israel, including Chinese folk dance, folk music and songs, exhibitions of arts and crafts and photos, plays and movies.

As the greatest event in the sphere of cultural exchanges between China and Israel, the festival, jointly held by the two sides, will last for about six months until November, during which, more than 200 performers from all over China will gather in the Jewish nation.

In the past 15 years, bilateral relations between China and Israel have witnessed a rapid development and scored remarkable achievements.

The bilateral trade volume between the two nations has increased from 50 million U.S. dollars to 3.88 billion dollars in the period, with an average annual growth rate of 40 percent.

Editor: Wing