On April 4th, the Commemorative Stamp Joint Issue Ceremony for celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between China and Israel was held in Jerusalem Music Center. Ambassador Gao Yanping attended the ceremony and delivered a speech. Mr. Zhou Tienong, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress and the President of the Chinese Association for International Understanding, Mr. Liu Mingguang, Deputy General Manager of the China Post Group Corporation, Mr. Matan Vilnai, Israeli Home Front Minister and Designated Ambassador to China, MK Galeb Magadle, Deputy Speaker of the Israeli Knesset, Mr. Sasi Shilo, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Israel Post, Mr. Haim Elmoznino, CEO of the Israel Post and other more than 100 guests attended the Joint Issue Ceremony. Mr. Yaron Razon, Director of Israel Philatelic Service, was the MC of the ceremony.
Unveiling the Commemorative Stamps
H.E. Ambassador Gao Yanping
Ambassador Gao Yanping extended her warm welcome to Vice Chairman Zhou and his delegation, the delegation of the China Post, officials from Israeli government and Knesset, and other friends from all walks of life who attended the ceremony, and her warm congratulations on the commemorative stamps successfully issued. She said, in thought to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the joint-issued stamp witnesses the 20 years of friendship between the peoples and fruitful cooperation in various fields. During the last 20 years, the political relations between the two countries have been mature, the mutual trust has been constantly enhanced, and pragmatic cooperation has been in healthy development. It's hoped the two countries could seize the precious opportunity and make joint efforts to compose a better and brighter chapter starting from the new historical standing point of the 20th anniversary.
Mr. Matan Vilnai, Israeli Home Front Minister and designated Ambassador to China
Mr. Matan Vilnai, Israeli Home Front Minister and Designated Ambassador to China said in his speech that there are many things in common between the two countries on history and culture, the exchanges between the two peoples has a long history, and the two countries are now sharing the close cooperation. As the designated Ambassador to China, he is willing to actively promote bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various fields. Mr. Sasi Shilo, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Israel Post said in his speech that the joint issue of stamps signifies the friendship, culture and cooperation between countries and peoples. "Peace Dove" and "Waxwing" featured on the stamps were not selected by chance. Both the citizens of China and Israel are peace loving people and the dove serves as a symbol of peace for the Jewish people, as does the waxwing for the Chinese people. Mr. Liu Mingguang Deputy General Manager of the China Post Group Corporation said that the joint issued stamp is not only a successful cooperation between the two countries in the postal sector, but also an important part of cultural exchanges between the two countries, and it's a gift to the 20th anniversary of the bilateral relations presented by both postal departments of the two countries, in the hope that the relations between the two countries will have a better tomorrow.
Mr. Liu Mingguang, Deputy General Manager of the China Post Group Corporation
Vice Chairman Zhou Tienong, Ambassador Gao Yanping, Deputy General Manager Liu Mingguang, Minister Vilnai and Chairman Shilo unveiled the commemorative stamps. Professor Arie Vardi, the well-Known Israeli Pianist played the piano. The entire ceremony was filled with a festive, warm and harmonious atmosphere.
Israeli Pianist Professor Arie Vardi