China has signed a free trade agreement memorandum of understanding with the Palestinian Authority, Beijing's Commerce Ministry said in a statement Wednesday.
Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan arrived in Israel on Monday for a three-day trip that illustrates the warming ties between the two countries. While in Jerusalem, he met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Reuven Rivlin and several other high-ranking Israeli officials.
Visiting the West Bank, Wang met with Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah in Ramallah, laid a wreath on the grave of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and toured Bethlehem's Nativity Church.
China's Commerce Ministry said the memorandum was signed by the country's Deputy Commerce Minister Qian Keming and Palestinian National Economy Minister Abeer Odeh.
Both sides agreed to step up negotiations and try and reach an early agreement, Beijing said.
In 2017, bilateral trade between China and the Palestinian Authority reached $69.28 million, up 16.2% compared to the same period in 2016.
