On October 5^th , Ambassador Gao Yanping met with Mr. David Rotem, Chairman of the Israel-China Friendship League in the Knesset. Ms. Liu Li, Head of Political Section of the Embassy of China, was present.

Ambassador Gao expressed her appreciation to Mr. Rotem for his support for the friendly cooperation between the Chinese People and the Israeli People. Looking back on the progress of the China-Israel relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties, Ambassador Gao said she would exert all efforts to promote the mutual understanding, trust and friendship between the two peoples and facilitate the pragmatic cooperation between the two countries in all fields. Ambassador Gao gave a brief introduction to Mr. Rotem on the White Paper on China's Peaceful Development, stressing that China would firmly adhere to the path of peaceful development and always follow an independent foreign policy of peace, which was not only in the interest of China and its people, but also conducive to the world peace, stability, development and harmony.

Mr. Rotem extended warmest welcome to Ambassador Gao for assuming her new post and spoke highly of the great achievements China had made. He said China was a special country that the world needed time to understand. Mr. Rotem recalled the long history of friendship between the Chinese people and the Jewish people, especially the Chinese people opened door to the Jews during World War II and saved many Jewish lives. He said the Israel-China relations were very important. As an old friend of the Chinese people, he would work together with Ambassador Gao to push forward the Israel- China relations.

Ambassador Gao exchanged views with Mr. Rotem on other issues of common concern.