China’s new Ambassador to Israel, Zhan Yongxin, has replaced Ambassador Gao Yanping. A special welcoming reception was held in his honour in February.

Ambassador Zhan was warmly greeted at the reception and spoke to the large gathering of business people, government officials and diplomats. “I am the seventh Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the State of Israel. If I am right, the number seven is one of the most important and sacred digits in the Jewish culture, we all know that there are seven days a week, and I have specially noticed that there are seven candlesticks in your menorah, your national emblem,” he said.

“This is a good sign for me. I believe I will definitely round up all the important achievements my predecessors have contributed, and lead ChinaIsrael relations into a new paragraph. I came to Israel with the mission and expectation to promoting an even better relationship, partnership, and co-operation between our two countries and two nations in multi-dimensional prospects and all-around levels. The Chinese people and the Jewish people both possess splendid culture and have long history of friendship,” he added.

Ambassador Zhan was born in Jiangsu Province, China, in 1957. He has a Master’s degree in Economics, and is married with a son.