China and Israel set up task force to boost trade
Premier Li Keqiang seals deals with Benjamin Netanyahu to deepen economic ties, as Beijing seeks to play a greater role in the Middle East
China and Israel set up a task force yesterday to deepen economic co-operation and boost trade as Beijing seeks to expand its influence in the Middle East.
The agreement was reached during talks between Premier Li Keqiang and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Beijing.
I think we can co-operate by scaling up these technologies for the benefit of both countries
Li and Netanyahu then presided over the signing of five deals covering the aerospace industry, agricultural research, financial co-operation, science and technology, and Chinese language instruction. Details were not immediately provided.
Netanyahu, who arrived in Beijing yesterday after a stop in Shanghai, is on a mission to strengthen ties with his nation's third-biggest trade partner and press for tougher action against Iran and Syria.
China's imports from Israel totalled US$5.3 billion last year and its exports to Israel reached US$2.8 billion, says Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics.
Li vowed to deepen co-operation with Israel in four areas - trade, technology transfer, agriculture and public works - and said China would encourage Chinese companies to participate in Israeli public works projects.
