H.E. Zhan Yongxin, Chinese Ambassador to Israel, Gives a Live Interview to Ynet

　　2019年8月22日，驻以色列大使詹永新应邀接受以色列最大的门户网站“新消息报”现场连线采访，就中以经贸关系、美方干扰中以务实合作等问题进行答问。以下为中文采访实录：

 　　主持人：我们很喜欢和中国人合作，为什么？因为中国帮助我们发展基建和科技，同时价格便宜。总之，中国人来了。中国人最初作为我们的经济伙伴来到以色列，现在他们参与建设特拉维夫轻轨、阿什杜德港，其中不乏一些具有重要战略意义的项目。下面我们邀请中国驻以色列大使詹永新阁下。

On 22 August, Ambassador Zhan Yongxin gave a live interview to Ynet, Israel's most popular news portal, on questions regarding economic and trade relations between China and Israel, American interference in China-Israel relations and etc. Here is the edited transcript:

Lead-in (translated from Hebrew): We like to work with the Chinese. Why? Because they help us develop infrastructure and technology at affordable prices. So the Chinese are here. They were just economic partners, but now they are participating in the building of such projects like Ashdod Port and Tel Aviv Light Rail. Some of these projects are of strategic importance. Now let's invite His Excellency Zhan Yongxin, Chinese Ambassador to Israel.

　　大使阁下早上好。您不久前发文，希望以色列人能冷静下来，不要惧怕中国。那么我们应该如何看待中国对以色列的投资呢？

　　詹大使：早上好，我非常高兴受邀参加你们的节目。我想先从一个更大的范围讨论这个问题。当前中以两国各领域合作都在积极发展，务实合作发展尤为迅速。1992年中以正式建立外交关系，双边贸易额仅有5000万美元。2015年，我就任中国驻以色列大使的当年，双边贸易额已经突破100亿美元。去年，我们的双边贸易额接近140亿美元。但如果对比中国的全球贸易数据，中以贸易额仅占中国对外贸易总额的0.3%。这表明双边经贸关系还有很大潜力。

Question: Good morning Sir. Thank you for this interview. You are trying to calm us down right? You are trying to calm the Israelis not to be afraid of China. Tell me please, why should we be calm about the Chinese investment in Israel.

Ambassador: Good morning, thank you for having me on the program. Let me first give you a broad perspective of the cooperation between China and Israel. The economic and trade between our two countries is indeed flourishing. In 1992, when we established the diplomatic relationship, our bilateral trade volume was only US$ 50 million. In 2015, when I assumed the office in Israel, the number reached US$ 10 billion. Last year, the total trade volume was about US$ 14 billion. However, if we put the numbers into perspective, our trade is only 0.3% of China's trade with the world. There is still a lot of potential in our relations.

　　主持人：但是，大使阁下，中国正在控制以色列的关键基础设施，比如阿什杜德港、特拉维夫轻轨等。这对以色列来说是不是有些危险呢？

　　詹大使：你提到的是中以之间的基础设施合作项目，这些项目是中国公司的优势和以色列实际需求相结合的产物。据我了解，中国公司都是应以色列方面邀请，通过公开透明的国际招标程序参与有关项目。中国公司拥有专业技术和丰富经验，能够帮助以色列提升基础设施水平。我相信，这些项目完成后，所有在以色列生活工作的民众都将享受到世界级基础设施所带来的便利，而这正是中国倡导的互利共赢合作。

Question: However, Mr Zhan, China is taking control of vital infrastructure in Israel, like the Ashdod port, the light rail in Tel Aviv. Isn't that dangerous for Israel?

Ambassador: Regarding the infrastructure projects, I believe they combine China's expertise with Israeli demands. As far as I know, Chinese companies are invited to participate in the projects. And their contracts are awarded through the transparent international bidding process. Once all these projects are completed, they will leave Israel with world-class facilities and enable everyone living here to have better lives. I believe this is a very good example of the win-win cooperation that China has been advocating.