Beijing, May 11th—The International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC) held here today an innovative development forum for young political elites of the ruling parties of China and Israel themed on innovative development: guiding and motivating role of political parties via video link. Song Tao, Minister of the IDCPC and Evgeny Sova, Deputy Speaker of the Knesset and Head of the Yisrael Beiteinu faction in the Knesset of Israel attended and addressed the function. Over 50 participants were present, including representatives of young and middle-aged cadres of six parties of Israel's ruling coalition, heads of CPC Haidian District Committee of Beijing, the Administrative Committee of Zhongguancun Science Park, China-Israel Changzhou Innovation Park (CICP) and entrepreneur representatives of both countries.

Song said, this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Israel. General Secretary Xi Jinping and President Isaac Herzog exchanged congratulatory messages, charting the course for the development of China-Israel innovative comprehensive partnership. The CPC is willing to work with all parties of Israel's ruling coalition to well implement the important consensus of the leaders of the two countries, strengthen political mutual trust and experience exchange in state governance and administration, and give play to the political guiding role of inter-party relations to the relations between our two countries. The Chinese side appreciates the Israeli side’s commitment to the one-China principle, and hopes the Israeli side will continue to uphold the right position in issues concerning China’s core interests. At present, China is, under the strong leadership of CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, fully implementing the new development philosophy on all fronts, accelerating the pace of fostering a new development paradigm, and expanding high-standard opening up, which will provide broader market opportunities for all countries including Israel. It is hoped that both sides will enhance cooperation in such aspects as economy, innovation, culture, education and cooperation at local level, in a bid to inject robust impetus into the sound and stable development of China-Israel relations and jointly boost peace and prosperity of the region and the world.

Song said, General Secretary Xi Jinping attended a grand gathering marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Youth League of China on May 10th and delivered an important speech. He noted, the youth are always passionate to make something new because they have a strong capability of creativity. The Communist Party of China is always the one to keep a youth feature and it is always the party that should be trusted and can be trusted by the young generation. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the CPC has continuously advanced theoretical, practical, and institutional innovation, established Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in the New Era, successfully blazed a Chinese path to modernization, and created a new model for human advancement. The CPC has actively participated in the transformation and innovation of global governance, proposed the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and promoted the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. The CPC is willing to, together with all parties of Israel's ruling coalition, help youth of the two countries continuously deepen understanding, and consolidate the public foundation for the long-term friendship of our two countries, to enable the youth to make their contributions to the development of China-Israel relations and jointly open up a better future.

Yu Jun, Secretary of CPC Haidian District Committee of Beijing and Secretary of the Party Working Committee of Zhongguancun Science Park, said in the new era, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core elevated innovation-driven development to a national strategy, and made it the core of the overall picture of China's modernization drive. Haidian District is a key district that bears the functions of Beijing essential to its role as the capital, and a core district of international science and technology innovation center in Beijing. It will continue to take General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important observations about science and technology innovation as the guidance, promote leapfrog and high-quality development through innovation, and hopes to propel China-Israel innovative cooperation through the Zhongguancun Forum. The head of Administrative Committee of Zhongguancun Science Park introduced relevant situation of the science park. The head of CICP said, as the first innovation demonstration park in China jointly established by the Chinese and Israeli governments, CICP has made fruitful achievements since its inception in 2015, becoming a landmark project of China-Israel cooperation. CICP will continue its efforts to promote China-Israel cooperation for more results.

Sova and other representatives of the political parties of the Israeli side said, both Israel and China have a long history and splendid culture and enjoyed a time-honored friendship. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and China 30 years ago, particularly the establishment of innovative comprehensive partnership five years ago, the two countries have seen comprehensive development in bilateral relations, and comprehensive progress in practical cooperation in various areas, which have brought tangible benefits to the two peoples. The Israeli side attaches great importance to developing its relations with China, sees China as a good friend, and speaks highly of China’s huge achievements in promoting economic and social development, environmental protection and major contributions to the world. Despite different opinions in Israel’s domestic affairs, all parties of Israel share the same view on strengthening relations with China. They stand ready to reinforce inter-party exchanges with the CPC to further promote cooperation in innovation, youth, the joint building of the Belt and Road Initiative and cooperation at local level, to push Israel-China relations for greater development. The Israeli side is ready to work with China to cope with global challenges, stand on the right side of history, and maintain world peace and development.

Zhu Rui, Assistant-minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee presided over the forum.