Israel Marks 10th Anniversary of Israeli-Chinese Ties

Israeli President Moshe Katsav hosted a reception Wednesday to mark the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Israeli-Chinese diplomatic ties.

At the reception, Katsav said that it has been one of the primary targets of the Israeli diplomacy and foreign policy to establish friendly diplomatic ties with China.

Israelis have "great feelings" towards China for its harboring of thousands of Jews escaping Europe during the Second World War and saving their lives, he said.

The president also noted that he personally has special admiration for China's long history and magnificent culture, and felt strongly, during his two official visits to China, the significant changes taking place in China over the past decade.

He expressed the hope that Israel and China would continue to enhance bilateral cooperation and exchanges in various fields including economics, science and technology, and culture.

Chinese Ambassador to Israel Pan Zhanlin said that frequent cultural exchanges between the two countries have remarkably promoted the understanding and friendship between the two peoples, adding the exchanges have played an important role in the further development of bilateral ties.

Pan particularly mentioned the exhibition of "China: One Hundred Treasures" held by Israel museum last year to mark the 10th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations, which attracted 100,000 visitors and was cordially received by Israelis from all walks of life.

The ambassador presented President Katsav with a replica of a Chinese terra-cotta figure, a more than 2000-year-old antiquity, saying it is a "symbol of peace."

Israeli ambassador to China Yitzhak Shelef, officials from the Israeli Foreign Ministry as well as experts and scores of other people engaged in the promotion of Israeli-Chinese friendship attended the reception.

(Xinhua News Agency February 28, 2002)