On February 13, Ambassador Gao Yanping was invited to attend the ceremony of celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the establishment of Sino-Israeli diplomatic relations and the 20th Anniversary of the founding of the Israel-China Friendship Society and Jews in Shanghai annual gathering and delivered a speech. More than 70 people, including Counselor Dai Yuming, representatives from offices in the embassy and the members of the Israel-China Friendship Association participated in the activities.

Ambassador Gao Yanping firstly congratulated the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 20th anniversary of Israeli-China Friendship Society. She said she was very pleased to have the opportunity to memorize the past and look to the future with fellows who have been living in Shanghai. Chinese and Jewish peoples shared a long history of mutual exchanges. Chinese people lent a helping hand to the victims of the Nazi Holocaust of Jews during World War II, and Jewish people lived in China happily with their Chinese friends and neighbors thereafter. It's hoped that the fellows take their children and grandchildren to visit their "home" in China. Ambassador Gao addressed that during the past 20 years of Sino-Israeli diplomatic relations, the pragmatic cooperation in various fields between the two countries had made gratifying achievements, understanding and friendship between the two peoples had been deepened. It's hoped that Israel-China Friendship Society continues to support the relations and contribute benefit to the two peoples.

Mr. Teddy Kaufman Mrs. Flori Cohen, representitive of Jewish in Shanghai

Mr. Teddy Kaufman, Chairman of the Israel-China Friendship Society and Association of Former Residents of China, said that since the Israel-China Friendship Society was established 20 years ago, it has been a pioneer in the promotion of Sino-Israeli relations and it will continue to make its own contribution to the Sino-Israeli relations. Three representatives from the Jewish communities in Shanghai made their speeches and recalled their stories when living in China, expressing their love to China and gratitude to the Chinese people. They choked several times when they memorized the past emotionally, and the audience can not help but be moved.

After the event, friends from the Society came to Ambassador Gao and other staff of the embassy to shake hands and talk cordially.

Media including China Radio International, China Central Television, Guangming Daily and Science&Technology Daily reported the event.