Launch of the Diane and Guilford Glazer Israel-China Policy Center
August 4, 2022
On August 1, 2022, the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) and the Diane and Guildford Glazer Foundation launched a joint initiative, the Israel-China Policy Center.
The Center is designed to serve as a national resource for policy-oriented knowledge and research on Israel-China relations. It strives to enhance Israeli policy, cultivate national capabilities and skills, develop a knowledge and best practices community, promote training, impart relevant knowledge in Israel and abroad, and raise and deepen awareness among the general public and professionals in the field.
The launch was attended by academics, businesspeople, government figures, and representatives of foreign embassies. INSS Executive Director Professor Manuel Trajtenberg opened the event. His remarks were followed by greetings from Ms. Keren Karp, the representative of the Glazer Foundation in Israel, and Mr. Hagai Shagrir, Deputy Director of the Asia-Pacific department at Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
China’s Ambassador to Israel, His Excellency Mr. Cai Run, welcomed the establishment of the Center and said: “The newly-launched Center can bring much value to China-Israel relations and open new doors for Israeli understanding of China, and with this, promote friendly relations and practical cooperation.”
The head of the Center, Brig. Gen. (res.) Assaf Orion, presented the launch of the Center in the context of changes in Israel’s strategic environment, and noted: “The Glazer Israel-China Policy Center has identified gaps on four levels in Israel: policy, skills, knowledge, and awareness. With the requisite humility, but with dedication and in partnership, we strive to narrow these gaps. Our goal is to promote fruitful and safe relations between Israel and China. Our attitude is professional and balanced – we are neither dragon slayers nor panda huggers.”
The evening’s keynote speaker was Minister of Intelligence Maj. Gen. (res.) Elazar Stern, who said: “I welcome the launch of the Diane and Guilford Glazer Israel-China Policy Center at INSS. This is a significant milestone in the development of the relations between Israel and China. We will continue to cooperate and further our joint success in the future as well. I want to thank our Chinese partners for the fruitful and successful cooperation between our two countries.”