To many Chinese, these words capture their people's story. The same is true for many Israelis as well.

Although we are vastly different in size and geography, China and Israel share a similar story. We are two societies experiencing parallel processes of national renewal and success.

Right from the beginning of China's modern history, Israel reached out its hand in friendship. Israel was one of the first countries to recognize the PRC.

This posture derived not only from the diplomatic and geopolitical wisdom of modern Israel's founding father and first Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion, but also from the deep sense of gratitude felt by the Jewish people for the hospitality and comfort provided by China through the late nineteenth century and the first half of the twentieth century. As Jews were being persecuted and slaughtered in Russia and Germany, they found not only shelter and safety, but warmth and friendship in China, particularly in Harbin and Shanghai.

The people of Israel have always seen China as their friend. This friendship began more than a millennium ago, when Jews first travelled to China and built a community in Kaifeng.

Even before formal diplomatic ties were established, this friendship found expression in ways which brought understanding and strength to both countries.

Today, as we celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the modern state of Israel and the People's Republic of China, we look back with pride at the rich tapestry of political, commercial, economic and cultural ties that we have built.

While we have of course not come near to tapping the full potential of the cooperation between us, Israel and China have succeeded in identifying, nurturing and building exchanges which bring real benefit to both societies.

Particularly in the fields of innovation - whether in agricultural technologies, information technologies, water safety and management, or modern investment strategies for nurturing hi-tech creativity – Israel and China enjoy complementary needs and strengths which are driving our relationship forward with immense energy and purpose. The lessons Israel has learnt in cultivating and building an innovation-driven hi-tech economy are being shared and applied in China to the benefit of both peoples.

Today, Israel looks with wonder and admiration at the achievements of modern China.

This admiration was perhaps best expressed by Israel's President Shimon Peres, a devoted friend of the Chinese people, on the occasion of his visit to Beijing for the 2008 Olympic Games. In a poem prepared especially for the occasion and published in the People's Daily, President Peres wrote of his hopes for China and for the world soaring into the sky like birds, as symbolized by Beijing's Birds Nest national stadium.

I am honored to reaffirm our commitment to working with the Chinese government and people to help realise these hopes, and to help fulfil the potential and the vision of our friendship and partnership.

Indeed, an anniversary is not only a time for looking back on past achievements but also for renewing our sense of purpose and belief in the future. As China seeks to nurture its younger generation and to build an ever brighter and better future for its people, Israel will continue to play its part, to explore every possible avenue of cooperation, and to invest in the vision our two ancient peoples share - of security and prosperity for China and for Israel, and for all mankind.