This year the People's Republic of China is celebrating the 60th anniversary of its founding as well as the 17th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and the State of Israel. It is only natural that these celebrations include a series of cultural events to demonstrate the rich Chinese culture and the extensive cultural relations between China and Israel.

Since the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the two countries, an expeditious process of promoting and developing bi-lateral relations and cooperation in various areas and fields has taken place. It is especially noteworthy to mention the development of cooperation in the field of culture. The best Israeli artists as well as Israeli theater and dance companies and music ensembles and orchestras were invited to perform all over China. At the same time a large variety of art companies from China visited Israel and performed within international festivals and other significant stages, presenting the rich Chinese culture of past and present. While both countries are relatively young in terms of the modern era, they are based on history and culture that goes back over the centuries to antiquity; each has a glorious heritage in the annals of humanity. The friendship between both peoples - the Jewish People and the Chinese People - also goes back many years, ever since the Jewish community in China first began to prosper over a thousand years ago in Kaifeng, the capital at the time of the Sung Dynasty. This friendship has never been extinguished, and more than once withstood the tests of time.
I wish to express warm words of praise and admiration for China's spectacular hosting of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. It certainly was one of the greatest and most impressive Olympic Games ever held and deserved the applause that it received around the world.

The Para-Olympic Games, which were also hosted by China in 2008 and which were no less impressive, emphasized the important place of promoting disabled people within the Chinese society. This social value is shared also by the Israeli society. It is therefore for a good reason that the central opening show of the series of cultural events entitled "Experience China" is the show "My Dream", which is performed by disabled Chinese artists who prove an exceptional success to overcome artistic challenges that demand outstanding daring.

We welcome this wonderful opportunity to see and experience the best of art and culture of China here in Israel. This gesture illustrates once again the deep friendship between the people of China and the people of Israel.

I congratulate the people of China for the 60th anniversary celebrations.

Limor Livnat
Minister of Culture and Sport
State of Israel

译文：

　　今年是中华人民共和国成立60周年，也是中国和以色列建立外交关系17周年，包括一系列文化交流在内的庆祝活动自然地体现了中国文化的丰富多彩和中以文化的广泛联系。

　　中以两国建立外交关系以来，对推动和发展双边关系和各领域的合作采取了迅速有效的措施。特别值得一提的是文化领域的合作发展，以色列最好的艺术家和剧团、舞蹈团、音乐演出团体应邀到中国演出。与此同时，种类丰富的中国艺术团体在国际艺术节和其他重要阶段到以色列访问演出，呈现了中国过去和现在的丰富文化。

　　尽管两国在新的时代都相对年轻，但他们都具有悠久的历史文化，可追溯到几百年前的古代，都在人类史册有光荣的传统。中华民族和犹太民族之间的友谊也可以追溯到很多年前，自从一千多年前在宋朝的首都开封第一个犹太社区开始繁荣开始，友谊就从未中断过，并且不止一次地经受住了时间的考验。

　　我对中国主办的精彩的2008年北京奥运会表示由衷的赞美和钦佩。北京奥运会确实是曾举办过的最伟大的、给人印象最深刻的奥运会之一，应该赢得来自世界各地的掌声。

　　2008年北京残疾人奥运会同样给人留下了深刻的印象，强调了在中国社会推进残疾人事业的重要性。这种社会价值也是以色列社会所认同的。因此，这是一个好的理由来解释命名为“感知中国”的系列文化活动的核心开幕节目“我的梦”，这是一个中国残疾人艺术家表演的节目，它证明了克服艺术的挑战取得非凡的成功需要显著的勇气。

　　我们对有这样一个能在以色列欣赏和体验最好的中国文化艺术机会表示热烈欢迎。这种姿态再次表现了中以两国人民之间的深厚友谊。
　　向中华人民共和国成立60周年庆典表示祝贺。

李夫·涅特    
以色列文化体育部部长