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Did you know:
In 1920, ROC founder Sun Yat-sen wrote a letter in support of Israel’s nationhood aspirations? And, the ROC govt in Nanjing was the first Asian state to recognize the State of Israel in 1948?
Israel was the first non-communist nation to recognize the People's Republic of China?
However: Israel and the PRC only set up official relations in 1992, and a year later opened a trade office/de facto embassy in Taiwan.
Taiwan sought Israel’s help with atomic-related matters.
This episode isn’t a commentary on current events. Instead, it’s a conversation with 91-year-old professor Meron Medzini from Jerusalem, who was awarded a medal for contributions to bilateral ties and Taiwan studies. This is an episode for hardcore history lovers, with loads of fascinating stories and, “now we know” info from a man who watched Israel, China (the PRC), and modern democratic Taiwan grow and evolve from their inceptions.
Cover: AI art via Eryk Michael Smith
Below: On April 24, 1920, Dr. Sun Yat-sen wrote this letter to N.E.B. Ezra, a writer and publisher, and founder of the Shanghai Zionist Association. Via Jewish Community Center Taiwan
Below: Taiwan envoy to Israel Li Ya-ping (李雅萍) on Jan. 18, 2019, presented the Friendship Medal of Diplomacy to Israeli scholar Meron Medzini on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for his contributions to deepening Taiwan-Israel relations and Taiwan studies. Read the article from the Taiwan News HERE.
Below: Pictures of the now 91-year-old Dr. Medzini, taken over his long career. All pictures courtesy of the Medzini family.
Below: The situation in 2009. Several Arab states have since recognized Israel. Via Wikimedia Commons.
TAN: Recognition of both Israel and a Palestinian State
DARK BLUE: Recognition of Israel only
LIGHT BLUE: Recognition of Israel, with some relations to Palestine
RED: Recognition of Palestinian State only
DARK TAN: Recognition of Palestine, with some relations to Israel
Below:
1. Israeli President Reuvin Rivlin meeting with Chinese Vice Premier Liu Landung on a visit to Israel in 2016.
2. Benjamin Netanyahu and Matan Vilinai on a 2013 bilateral visit in China. Via Wikimedia Commons.
Check our very first episode, the story of a very white man who showed up in London in 1703... and claimed to be from Formosa. Or try a foodie episode from Season 3. Or, for those who want some harder-core history, hear the tale of the Lockheed U-2 pilot Wang Hsi-chueh 王錫爵, who became was famous for defecting to the PRC by hijacking China Airlines Flight 334 on May 3, 1986.
