On May 11, 2009, Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Zhai Jun met in the Foreign Ministry with a delegation of Israeli young diplomats headed by Opher Aviran, Head of Bureau for Personnel Training & Development at Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel.

During the meeting, Zhai said bilateral ties have been developing rapidly since China and Israel forged their diplomatic ties. The two Ministries of Foreign Affairs have maintained sound exchanges and cooperation. China attaches importance to ties with Israel and is ready to work with it to push bilateral friendly relations and pragmatic cooperation towards new outcome.

Aviran said the Israeli people hold friendly affection towards the Chinese people and admire China's enormous achievements in its economic development. He expressed hope that both sides, through this visit, will deepen understanding of each other and make greater contributions to the development of bilateral ties in the future.

Aviran expressed condolences over the anniversary of last year's devastating earthquake in the southwestern Sichuan Province, for which Zhai expressed gratitude.