Watch Netanyahu speak Chinese

He's fluent in Hebrew and English, and now he speaks Chinese too: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released Tuesday videotaped Chinese New Year's well-wishes, in Mandarin, in a bid to tighten Israel's ties with the world's most populous nation.

In a video posted on YouTube, the PM wished the Chinese people a happy New Year in Mandarin, and also expressed his hope for closer relations between Jerusalem in Beijing.

Watch Netanyahu speak Chinese

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Netanyahu said he was certain that the Chinese people will continue to amaze the world with their progress and prosperity in the coming year, and told viewers that many Israeli students have already embarked on Chinese-language studies at local schools.

The prime minister also recounted his own visit at a China synagogue and added that Israel will never forget the Chinese decision to offer a safe haven to Jews during the Holocaust.

Netanyahu recorded his well-wishes with the assistance of Guy Kivetz of the Foreign Ministry and Israel's China embassy. The video will be distributed with the help of China's news agency and is expected to be watched by millions of people via social networks.

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