Interview
The following is a written interview recently granted to the Post by Israel’s Consul-General, Amir Lati, accredited to the Hong Kong and Macau SARs:
Q: Your simultaneous accreditation to Hong Kong and Macau as Israel’s top diplomat to China’s two SARs is soon coming to an end, as you will be posted back to your home country. I presume that this double accreditation to two Chinese regions with rather different histories, and each with its own identity and local culture, must have been a unique experience and even a challenge. Could you describe what it has been like to represent your country in two such distinct Chinese SARs at the same time?
CG Lati: This summer, after completing my current assignments in Hong Kong and Macau, I will have accumulated nearly 14 years of diplomatic service in China. China is a vast and diverse country, and I have always found it fascinating to explore the various regions I have served and traveled to. While all these places enjoy rapid economic progress, each place offers unique landscapes, food, dialects, with different levels of economic development. There are differences in our work in Macau and Hong Kong, I believe we share many common priorities. For instance, both regions emphasize innovation as a key driver of development—an area where Israel can contribute significantly through collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Q: You studied at the prestigious Peking University, worked in Shanghai, opened Israel’s first consulate in Chengdu, and then became Israel’s consul-general to the Hong Kong and Macau SARs. This means you have acquired a great deal of first-hand experience in China (including the two SARs) for well over a decade, setting you apart from many, if not most, of your fellow diplomats posted here. Could you share some of the main highlights of your “China years”?
CG Lati: I first arrived in China in 1997 as a young student, and I visited Hong Kong as a tourist in 2005. Over nearly three decades, I have witnessed firsthand the remarkable transformations China has undergone since the opening-up policy. The rapid development and modernization are truly unprecedented. I have observed the Chinese people’s persistent desire for progress, all while preserving vital traditions such as strong family values and the aspiration for excellence. Having lived in China for half of the past 30 years, and with my children growing up there and mastering some Chinese, I would like to see myself as a bridge fostering friendship and cooperation between our two nations. Despite challenges from time to time, we are more than just two nations, as our two civilizations—one of the world’s oldest—share a deep bond rooted in historic ties. It is essential that we focus on long-term friendship and collaboration, emphasizing our shared values and mutual interests.
Q: Both China and Israel are among the world’s major technological and scientific powerhouses. However, they seem to pursue different sci-tech development strategies –Israel has mainly gone bottom-up, whereas China has primarily opted for a top-down approach – and both have been highly successful in their chosen paths. How can the two nations improve their sci-tech cooperation for their mutual, and indeed global, benefit?
CG Lati: Israel is home to nearly 9,000 high-tech companies, including a few dozen unicorns. Two of Israel’s universities are among the world’s top 10 universities for producing entrepreneurs and start-up enterprises. The high-tech sector accounts for over 50% of Israel’s exports. This vibrant environment is supported by a unique blend of cultural, educational, governmental support, and geopolitical factors. Recently, Israel has been transitioning from a “Start-up Nation” to a “Scale-up Nation”, emphasizing growth and global expansion. Given Israel’s relatively small domestic market, we are actively seeking international opportunities, and I see great potential for collaboration with Hong Kong and Macau. These regions can also serve as strategic gateways to the vast Chinese market, for example, in sectors like green energy, healthcare, and fintech. Our primary mission at the Consulate is to assist Israeli companies in entering these markets while also introducing Chinese firms and investors to the innovative potential of Israel. Our technological ecosystem complements China’s economy in many respects, fostering cooperation rather than competition.
Q: During a recent visit to Shanghai, I had the opportunity to learn more about the Chinese people’s generosity and hospitality in welcoming Jews fleeing the scourge of Nazism in the run-up to and during the Second World War. My impression is that anti-Semitism has never been able to take root in China, unlike, unfortunately, in many other countries. Furthermore, Chinese people appear to admire the Jewish people for their business acumen and their deep commitment to ensuring a solid education for their children.
Despite their different political systems and foreign policy orientations, do you think this “historical positivity” between the two peoples could, ultimately, benefit the further development of mutually beneficial and friendly relations between China and Israel on the political, economic, cultural, scientific, technological and many other fronts?
CG Lati: Shanghai was a beacon of hope of humanity for Jewish people during the darkest hours of the Jewish history, notably during World War II. Jewish presence in China dates back over 1,000 years, beginning with Jewish people settling in Kaifeng. In Hong Kong, the Jewish community has thrived since the 19th century and continues to contribute to the local society. Throughout my time in China, I have appreciated the enduring friendship and respect for Jewish history and culture. We share core values such as the importance of family, education, and the pursuit of knowledge. Regrettably, we are witnessing a concerning rise in anti-Semitism worldwide, including in this part of the world—driven by prejudice, hatred, and racism. Combating this phenomenon requires education and legislation. I firmly believe that the long-standing friendship between Chinese and Jewish peoples will endure and prevail.
Q: Based on its “1+4” development strategy, the Macau SAR is not only working on further strengthening its role as one of the world’s top tourism destinations (welcoming over 40 million visitors last year) and a business-service platform between China and Portuguese- and (more recently) Spanish-speaking countries, but is also striving to reinforce other development sectors. These include the aims of becoming an international centre for modern finance, Big Health (including Traditional Chinese Medicine/TCM)), and high-tech projects in areas such as AI, robotics, and space science applications. Do you think there are viable ways for Macau and Israel to strengthen their cooperation based on Macau’s “1+4” strategy?
CG Lati: During my tenure as Consul General, I have made it a priority to participate in the BEYOND International Technology Innovation Expo in Macau—one of the region’s most significant technological events. It provides invaluable insights into China’s latest innovations and future technological trends, and has allowed me to stay abreast of regional technological and developmental priorities. I believe that healthcare is a particularly promising area for cooperation between Israel and Macau. Israel’s advanced healthcare systems and technological expertise—exemplified by Sheba Medical Center, consistently ranked among the top ten hospitals worldwide—offer substantial opportunities for partnership. As Macau continues to attract tourists, high-end health services will become increasingly vital. I envisage more exchanges in this sector, including joint training programs for medical personnel, fostering mutual growth and innovation.
– Interview by Harald Brüning
