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.