The Israeli ambassador to China Amos Nadai has made no secret of his 'preference' to Chengdu.

Mr Nadai has come to Chengdu so many times that he cannot recall the number of times.

On July 7, Nadai was officially conferred the title of "honorary citizen of Chengdu city". He is the only foreign ambassador to China among the 29 honorary citizens of Chengdu city. He might even be the ambassador to China who has visited Chengdu the most during his tenure of office.

"I am honored to be an 'honorary citizen of Chengdu city'. I represent more than myself. I stand for the Israeli embassy in China. We see Chengdu as a representative Chinese city focused on sustainable development. We have deeply felt the significance of our bilateral relations. We have much work to do. I will do my best to continue deepening our mutual relations for sustainable development," he said.

"China is so big. In the four years as ambassador to China, I've been to other provinces and cities, two times at most. Chengdu is an exception, I've been there scores of times. Therefore, I am very 'partial' to Chengdu" he said.

How did Chengdu charm Nadai? "Chengdu and Israel started exchanges a long time ago. In the beginning, we focused only on the agricultural sector. However, the devastating Wenchuan earthquake was the turning point in terms of expanding cooperation," said Nadai. Chengdu spared no effort in rescuing two trapped Israeli students in the Wenchuan earthquake. Israeli media followed up the story, enabling Israelis to build on their own relationship with Chengdu.

Chengdu is admirably serious and pragmatic at work just like Israel. The Israeli government is satisfied with its intense cooperation with Chengdu. Since the Wenchuan earthquake, Israel and Chengdu have maintained close relations. They complement one another in competitive industries. The two parties have profound sentiments of friendship. Therefore, they forward to enhancing their relations.

Nadai has exerted all efforts to promote friendly exchanges between Israel and Chengdu. In September 2009, he led an Israeli enterprise delegation to attend the China (Chengdu) New Energy International Forum. In January 2010, he gathered a group of famous Israeli enterprises to hold an Chengdu-Israel Enterprise Exchange in Chengdu. In November 2010, he made round trips to secure the success of Chengdu • Israel Week. The event was the largest ever activity organized by the Israeli embassy in China and the first large-scale exchange activity between Chengdu's municipal government and a foreign embassy in China. The exchange left sustaining and far-reaching impacts towards the development of Chengdu.

"Since Israel has limited resources, we are cautious in choosing cooperation partners. Chengdu is very important to Israel. In the list of Chinese partner cities with Israel, Chengdu stands at the forefront, a priority," said Nadai. As the world turns to China for its next big venture, many Israeli businesses seekimg consultation from the Israeli embassy in China on what city is best for investment. Nadai recommends Chengdu straight away because "they will be stressed and treated earnestly in Chengdu."

Chengdu and Israel invested $3 million respectively to set up a R&D foundation, which is dedicated to support universities, research institutions and enterprises to conduct reaseach. Chengdu and Israeli Infinity Equity Investment Fund Management Group jointly invested money to establish an equity investment fund. Chengdu and Israel IDB Group cooperated to build the "Israel High-tech Industrial Park".

Chengdu and Israel's Haifa city worked to construct an Israeli town featuring a high-tech industry. Kardan Water International Group opened up China's first Kardan Square in Chengdu. In recent years, Chengdu and Israel have cemented close ties. Israeli companies will steadily increase their financing and investment in Chengdu along with deepened cooperation between the two sides.

Nadai came to Chengdu mainly to accept the honorary citizen title. He is delighted be able to bring Israeli companies to invest in Chengdu. "At present, two Israeli companies are inclined to march towards Chengdu. One is the largest solar energy company in Israel, and the other is a famous water treatment company. I have another idea, which is to bring Israeli companies in the United States to Chengdu to facilitate their unification and to encourage them to invest in the city," said" hwe said.. If Israel could set up a consulate general in Chengdu, the two parties will have closer and faster associations. If everything goes to plan, Israel will establish new consulates in China in 2012.