Chinese Minister of the State Council Information Office, Wang Chen, said Tuesday that cultural exchanges now ongoing in Israel present a multi-facet China to Israeli people, and thus help bring the two peoples closer and deepen their friendship.

During an exclusive interview with Xinhua on the sidelines of the culture event entitled "Experience China in Israel," Wang said the culture gala allows the Israeli people to know China's social transforms, economic developments and the accomplishments achieved especially since its reform and opening up over 30 years ago.

"Culture is like water which moistens everything silently," said Wang, noting that "culture exchanges can make hearts communicate, can help see the soul of a people, and can plant roots deeply in the hearts of the people."

The culture exchanges can produce great benefits and "can not be replaced by economic and trade cooperation and other bilateral activities," he stressed.

The Chinese minister said he was deeply impressed by the warm responses of the Israeli people to the performance by the China Disabled People's Art Troupe on Saturday, adding that it showed the love of the Israelis for the Chinese culture.

Israeli President Shimon Peres, Minister of Education, Culture and Sport Yuli Tamir and other senior officials watched the performance which was staged in Tel Aviv Opera House after the opening ceremony of the culture festival.

Wang disclosed that the 86-year-old Israeli president who initially planned to watch the first part of the performance followed it through and lauded the performance by the disabled Chinese as "the most unbelievable beauty in the world."

Peres told Wang that the repertoire dance "Thousand-hand Bodhisattva" performed by 21 disabled Chinese relying on the assistance of two sign language conductors symbolized the spirit of the Chinese people and the power of unity.

A thousand hands can work like one, and can produce joint strength, which is the power of solidarity, Peres said after the performance.

Other activities like "China, Israel and World Economy Symposium" during the culture event let the intelligentsia among others further deepen their understanding about China, especially about China's choice of a path of socialism with Chinese characteristics and its model of development, said Wang.

Jointly held by China's State Council Information Office and the Israeli Foreign Ministry, the culture event is dedicated to celebrating the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 17th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Israel.

The biggest ever culture exchange event between Israel and China also includes a film week, photo exhibitions and performances by the Beijing Modern Dance Company. It began on October 12 and will last till the end of this month.

Wang said the culture event provides a good chance, adding that it will help boost the political relations between Israel and China and "will sow the seed for further enhancing bilateral ties. "

"Seeing is believing," Wang said, noting that only through contacts, communication and exchanges, can the two nations know each other better, more comprehensively and authentically.

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