TEL AVIV (JTA) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met in Israel with Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong to announce a binational agreement to foster innovation.
Netanyahu in a statement Monday also announced an agreement for the two countries to cooperate during emergencies.
“There’s a natural affinity and friendship between the ancient people of China and the ancient people of Israel,” Netanyahu said in the statement. “We are both rooted in great traditions, but we also are absolutely determined to seize the future, and I welcome you in that spirit to Jerusalem and in the hopes of seizing the future together.”
The announcement was one one of several events in Israel this week highlighting China-Israel collaboration.
On Monday, Tel Aviv University announced the launch of a research and innovation partnership with Tsinghua University in Beijing. The partnership, which will have a budget of $300 million, will operate on both campuses and focus on scientific innovation and education, according to a news release.
Liu was scheduled to speak Tuesday at the Israel Innovation Conference in Tel Aviv. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the Israel-China Interflow Association and the Knesset Hi-Tech Caucus will host an Israel-China Economic Summit at the Knesset.
Also Monday, Hebrew University launched the Confucius Institute, a center for the study of Chinese history, culture and current affairs, on its campus.
