As China-Israel diplomatic ties enter the 18th year in 2010, Israel has taken initiative to provide surgeries for 18 Chinese orphans with birth deformities.

In this philanthropic program, dubbed "Heart for Life", the Israeli embassy in China, in collaboration with the United Foundation for Children's Health (UFCH), chose 18 orphans in great need of help and totally funded the necessary surgical operation.

As of March 18, 2010, 11 children had successfully received operations with the rest due for surgery soon. The youngsters are from orphanages and foster families across China. They were born with various deformities ranging from cleft lip, to congenital heart disease, intestinal deformity, spina bifida and club foot. They were abandoned right after birth.

All but one of the operations is taking place in China, mainly in Beijing hospitals. But one patient, 16-month-old Qian Baoxin, with a highly complicated heart disease was sent to Israel for his operation on March 7, 2010. Now, the little boy is staying at the Save a Child's Heart House in Tel Aviv under the care of staff and volunteers there, waiting for his operation. Tel Aviv's Wolfson Medical Center is fully analyzing his condition and discussing treatment options.