Government officials of Taiyuan and Irit Ben-Abba Vitale (third from left), Israel's ambassador to China, pose for a group photo at the tree planting event in Taiyuan on Sept 1. [Photo/shanxi.gov.cn]

A commemoration event for the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Israel was held in Taiyuan, capital of North China's Shanxi province, on Sept 1. 

Liu Junyi, vice-mayor of Taiyuan, and Irit Ben-Abba Vitale, Israel's ambassador to China, jointly grew 30 white bark pine trees in the city. 

Liu said at the tree planting activity that Taiyuan has long attached great importance to opening-up and exchanges, established sister city relationships with 12 cities in Russia, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany, and cooperated with Israel in education, medical care, and ecosystem development.

He hoped that the ambassador and the Embassy of Israel in China will continue to support exchanges between Taiyuan and Israeli cities.

Irit Ben-Abba Vitale said that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. 

As the first country of honor taking part in the 2022 Taiyuan Energy Low Carbon Development Forum on Sept 1-3, Israel has co-hosted many activities with Shanxi, further promoting the development of China-Israel relations and cooperation with Shanxi in various fields.