The millennial friendship between Chinese and Jews

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the foundation of Israel and the 26th year of diplomatic ties between it and China.

Historically, the Chinese and the Jews have enjoyed good relations for over 1,000 years, when the first Jews, from what is now Iraq, settled in China during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD).

After the first Opium War in 1840, Jewish communities were established in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tianjin, Harbin and other cities in Northeast China. After World War II, most Jews left the Chinese mainland - but, since the start of the opening-up in the late 1970s, many have returned to live and work in major cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.