Israel and China have jointly issued a postal souvenir on Thursday to mark the 10th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Israeli Minister of Communication Reuven Rivlin said at the issuing ceremony that he was pleased that Israel and China chose a postal and philatelic medium to mark this important event.
The minister said: "I believe that the common values that our two ancient nations share, alongside with the cooperation that we have established in so many fields will ensure that our relationship will continue to flourish in the decades to come."
He said the relations between China and Israel is based on the exchange of technological and agricultural knowledge, but it is also based on the mutual deep respect between the two ancient peoples.
Rivlin just came back this week from China after signing an agreement for the sale of two communication satellites for broadcasting and the telecommunications for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
The minister said that he was especially impressed by the huge development of Beijing during the past few years, adding that "everything in Beijing is being prepared for the 2008 Olympic Games to be held there."
Chinese Ambassador to Israel Pan Zhanlin said he was very pleased to witness the significant development of the profound relations between the two countries. He added that it demonstrates the friendship between the two peoples forged during long-standing contacts and the achievements of cooperation made during the past 10 years.
Chinese President Jiang Zemin and his Israeli counterpart Moshe Katsav, Chinese Prime Minister Zhu Rongji and his Israeli counterpart Ariel Sharon, and Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan and his Israeli counterpart Shimon Peres have exchanged messages of congratulations on this event.
Peres said in his message, "Israel is full of appreciation and gratitude for the warm relations and friendship that China has expressed to the Jewish people over the years."
After China and Israel established diplomatic ties in 1992, the two countries have enjoyed steady development of diplomatic ties. Chinese President Jiang Zemin visited Israel in 2000.
The total trade volume between the two countries reached US$1.23 billion in the first 11 months of 2001, a 28 percent increase over the same period of 2000.
(Xinhua News Aagency January 25, 2002)
