Israeli President Ezer Weizman pledged Thursday to do all he can to strengthen Sino-Israeli ties, which he described as "very important."

"It's very important to develop Sino-Israeli relations and I personally guarantee that I'll do more than my best to strengthen these relations," Weizman said at a welcome dinner at the presidential residence he hosted in honor of Li Peng, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress.

Weizman noted that Li is the highest ranking Chinese leader to visit Israel since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1992, when Li was China's premier. He called Li a close friend of Israel and himself.

In his speech, Li praised the Jewish people for the ancient civilization they created and the outstanding contribution they have made to the world.

He said it is admirable that after suffering almost 2000 years of expulsion, the Jewish people have achieved prosperity under miserable natural environment.

Although being far apart geographically, the Chinese and the Jewish people have a long history of friendship, Li said. Some Jewish people came to do business or stay in China as early as more than 1300 years ago, he added.

"The long histories, glorious civilizations, similar experiences and the shared will of strengthening cooperation have laid a solid foundation for the deepening of mutual understanding and friendship between our two nations," Li said.

Practice has demonstrated that the development of Sino-Israeli relations are not only in the fundamental interest of the two peoples, but will also be beneficial to the world peace and development, Li said.

Both Weizman and Li toasted for the future of the Sino-Israeli relations and the realization of a lasting peace between Israel and its Arab neighbors.

Israel is the fourth leg of Li's six-nation African-Asian tour, which has taken him to Mauritius, South Africa, Kenya and will also bring him to Palestine and Oman.