Special to the JTA Effort by Chinese Academics to Study Zionism and Hebrew to Be Aided by Group of a

The People’s Republic of China has hinted that it would like its academics to study Hebrew and Zionism in Western universities, and a group of leading Australian Jews proposes to launch a foundation to facilitate this.

The hints were dropped during recent informal contacts between the Jewish activists and key Chinese academics who are also involved in the Beijing government policymaking.

The Australian Jews, led by tourism tycoon Isi Leibler of Melbourne, want to involve the World Jewish Congress in their effort. Leibler, who has travelled to Beijing at the head of an Australian Jewish delegation, believes that a serious cultural dialogue between the two peoples would contribute, in the longer term, to political normalization between the People’s Republic an the Jewish people.

Top Chinese academics have indicated to Leibler and his associates that they are aware of, and concerned over, their country’s profound unfamiliarity with Hebrew scholarship and Jewish affairs at the academic level. They expressed their active interest in sending young scholars abroad to attempt to fill this lacuna.

A STEP TOWARD CULTURAL DIALOGUE

One small but symbolic step in the direction of cultural dialogue is the participation here this week of Chinese Jewish writer Sidney Shapiro in the Asian-Jewish colloquium, a biennial event organized by Leibler and his Australian Institute of Jewish Affairs.

Shapiro, an American who moved to China in 1947 and recently produced a book on the ancient Jewish community of Kai Feng, told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that while he did not represent Beijing at the colloquium, his presence at the gathering was indeed intended as a good will gesture by China.

Meanwhile, Israel’s top China-watcher Sunday appealed to Asian Jewish communities to help Israel by providing a framework for a preliminary dialogue with China and other regional states with which Israel has no formal relations.

AREAS OF ISRAEL-CHINA COOPERATION

Reuven Merhav, Consul-General in Hong Kong, told the Asia Pacific Jewish Association (APJA) that the Chinese recognize Jewish solidarity — with world Jewry and with Israel. While a move towards diplomatic recognition was not imminent, Merhav said, there were niches where Israel and China would usefully trade and cooperate. He urged Jewish businessmen in this region to help Israel identify such niches.

Merhav charged that Israeli governments had neglected the vast and growing potential of Asia. Jerusalem should send out its best diplomats, he said, and they should buckle down to learn the realities of the region.

The APJA embraces a dozen small — some tiny — Jewish communities under the leadership of Australia.