Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor of Israel
On 7th November, Ambassador Gao Yanping met with Mr. Shalom Simhon, Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor of the State of Israel while Mr. Boaz Hirsch, the Ministry's Deputy General Director and Mr. Hu Ming, the Economic and Commercial Counselor were present.
Minister Simhon warmly welcomed Ambassador Gao for assuming her new post, and recalled with pleasure his friendly relationship with China. He said Israeli government attached great importance to economic and trade cooperation with China, and there was huge potential in bilateral trade and investment cooperation. He hoped that the bilateral trade volume would double in the near future. The 6th International Exhibition on Water Technologies, Renewable Energy & Environmental Control will be held in Israel from 15th to 17th November, during which a seminar related to China will be held. Minister Simhon wished to hold more activities on economic and trade cooperation together with China, and he was confident that during Ambassador Gao's term, more remarkable achievements would be scored in bilateral economic and trade cooperation.
Ambassador Gao said she had been in Israel for only two months, but she was deeply impressed by the longstanding friendship between the two peoples and vigorous cooperation in varied fields between the two countries. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 20 years ago, there have been outstanding achievements resulting from frequent communication and practical cooperation between the two sides, which have greatly benefited people of the two countries. One of the achievements is in economic and trade sector: the bilateral trade volume last year is over 150 times the amount 20 years ago and the two-way investment enjoys fast and impressive growth. The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor of Israel has played an important and constructive role in promoting China-Israel relations and practical cooperation. On the occasion of 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, Ambassador Gao hoped that the two governments could work together to further advance economic and trade cooperation.
Ambassador Gao and Minister Simhon also exchanged views on other issues of mutual concern.