PM flies to Beijing to mark 25 years of Israel-China ties

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was scheduled to leave for Beijing on Saturday night for an official visit at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping. Netanyahu's visit to China will mark 25 years to the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

While in Beijing, Netanyahu will meet with Xi, who will also host an official dinner in his honor, as well as China's Prime Minister Li Keqiang.

According to the Prime Minister's Office, the official visit will focus on further strengthening Israel's economic cooperation with the Chinese government, with the aim of increasing Israeli exports to China and Chinese investments in Israel, as well as fostering corporate collaboration in the fields of industry and research between the two countries. Netanyahu will sign a series of economic agreements meant to assist Israeli companies operating in China, and he will also meet with the heads of some of China's largest corporations.

A senior business delegation comprising officials from a variety of Israeli industries and companies active in China or interested in penetrating the Chinese market, will accompany Netanyahu in Beijing. Members of the delegation, along with over 500 guests, will take part in a business forum chaired by Netanyahu.

Netanyahu will also take part in the third annual China-Israel Investment Summit on innovation.

Environmental Protection Minister Zeev Elkin, Economy and Industry Minister Eli Cohen, Science Minister Ofir Akunis and Health Minister Yakov Litzman and Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel will accompany Netanyahu on the visit, which will see Israel and China sign bilateral agreements to further cooperation in the fields of aviation, education, science, health and environmental protection. Both countries will also sign off on a multiyear plan for a special team tasked with strengthening economic ties between the two countries, as well as a deal to bring Chinese construction workers to Israel.

In a government meeting Thursday, Netanyahu said, "We will continue the talks on establishing a free trade agreement between China and Israel, and we will hold the third joint Israel-China innovation conference. Of course, we are continuing to develop new markets and to open new markets for the Israeli economy."

Netanyahu noted that he had received the full cooperation of all government ministers in the matter.

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