Visiting Chinese Minister of the State Council Information Office, Wang Chen, on Monday called on Chinese and Israeli peoples to strengthen communication and exchanges to help enhance mutual understanding and trust and to enable bilateral ties to develop in a more sustainable and healthier manner.

Addressing "China, Israel and World Economy Symposium" in Tel Aviv University, Wang said, "Despite the brevity of their diplomatic relations, China and Israel have made notable progress in advancing bilateral ties," appealing to the two countries to keep the momentum and enhance communication and exchanges in education, culture and media.

The political relations have enjoyed sound development, and frequent high-level political contacts have given impetus to the cooperation in trade, science and technology, culture, agriculture, tourism and the non-governmental sector and delivered tangible benefits to the two peoples, he said.

Increasingly frequent people-to-people exchanges have greatly enhanced mutual understanding and friendship between the two nations and boosted the sound development of bilateral relations, he added.

Wang believed that cultural, educational and youth exchanges are an important bridge to enhance mutual understanding and friendship as well as a major force driving the sound and stable development of China-Israel relations, calling on students and scholars in both countries to engage in more exchanges.

In recent years, the Chinese and Israeli governments have signed an agreement on cultural exchanges and a memorandum of intent on educational cooperation. The two countries have conducted comprehensive cooperation in the exchanges of overseas students, exchanges of visits and joint scientific research.

During the symposium, Stanley Fischer, Governor of the Bank of Israel, hailed China's rapid economic development in the past 30 years, saying it is a miracle in the world's economic history.

He also underscored the Chinese government's efforts to get out of the global financial crisis by adopting a massive fiscal stimulus package in November 2008, noting that "the results of what China has done are to transform China's role in the world, transform the life of the Chinese people and transform the global economy."

The symposium is part of the largest ever cultural exchange event between China and Israel entitled "Experience China in Israel," which also includes performance by the China Disabled People's Art Troupe, a film week, photo exhibitions, and performances by the Beijing Modern Dance Company. The event began on Oct. 12 and will last till the end of this month.

Jointly held by China's State Council Information Office and the Israeli Foreign Ministry, the event is dedicated to celebrating the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 17th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Israel.