“Israel can be a partner, a junior partner, but a perfect partner for China in the development of a variety of technologies that change the way we live,” Netanyahu said during a state visit to China.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Chinese President Xi Jinping the Jewish state can be a “perfect partner” for China as it seeks to grow its high-tech sector.
“We admire China’s capabilities, its position on the world stage and in history,” Netanyahu said in his meeting with Xi at Beijing’s Diaoyutai State Guest House.
“We have always believed…that Israel can be a partner, a junior partner, but a perfect partner for China in the development of a variety of technologies that change the way we live, how long we live, how healthy we live, the water we drink, the food we eat, the milk that we drink – in every area,” Netanyahu said.
Prior to the meeting, both countries sign a number of bilateral agreements identifying a number of areas for increased cooperation, including “air pollution control, waste management, environmental monitoring, water conservation and purification, as well as hi-tech fields.”
China and Israel also plan to establish “a global technology transfer center, innovation parks and an innovative cooperation center.”
Netanyahu added that he was particularly eager about the agreement on innovation.
A Better Future for Humanity
“We have signed many agreements, but I think that your decision to announce a comprehensive innovation partnership between China and Israel is a tremendously important decision, certainly for us in Israel, and I believe through our cooperation, for China as well,” the Israeli leader said.
“There are vast and rapid changes in technology, which Israel excels in that we believe we could cooperate on,” Netanyahu added. “We know that you have great scientists, great industrialists, great capabilities, and we think that by working together we can make the future better for our peoples, but also I think for humanity as a whole.”
Netanyahu and his wife Sara arrived in China on Sunday together with a large Israeli delegation on a three-day official visit.
Netanyahu is accompanied by a senior delegation of some 70 Israeli businesspeople from the various industries and companies active in China as well as from companies interested in penetrating the Chinese market. This is the largest-ever Israeli business delegation to arrive in the Chinese capital.
Mutual trade, which stood at $50 million when relations were initially established, has now reached more than $11 billion. China is Israel’s third-largest trade partner in the world and its largest partner in Asia; more than a third of hi-tech investments in Israel during the past year came from China.
By: JNS.org and United with Israel Staff