China Vice President Wang Qishan arrived in Israel on Monday for a three-day trip that illustrates the warming ties between the two countries.
Wang is heading a delegation of ministers and deputy ministers from 13 Chinese government offices. He was invited by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit and to co-host the Prime Minister's Innovation Conference on Tuesday. The two will then inaugurate the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation together.
Wang, a confidant of President Xi Jinping, is one of the most senior Chinese officials to visit Israel since the countries established diplomatic relations in 1992. In 2000, China's then-president, Jiang Zemin, became the first Chinese leader to visit Israel.
Wang toured the Old City of Jerusalem on Monday before traveling to the Prime Minister's Residence, where Netanyahu welcomed him.
"It [the visit] is a sign of our growing friendship," Netanyahu said. "The fact that the vice president of China came to Israel at my invitation for the Prime Minister's Innovation Conference is a tremendous compliment to Israel and a reflection of the growing ties between China and Israel. I look forward to our discussions."
Israel and China have become close trade partners, with China showing interest in Israeli developments in agriculture, water and other environmental technologies. Israel has also become a popular destination for Chinese tourists.
Bilaterial trade between Israel and China grew by 30% in the first eight months of 2018 to reach $8.4 billion, compared to $6.6 billion in the same months in 2017.
Israeli exports to China in the same period grew by 60% to $3.5 billion, up from $2.1 billion in the parallel period in 2017. Israeli exports to China from January to August this year exceed Israeli exports to China for all of 2017.
In 2018, China became Israel's second-most important export market, after the United States.
The Economy and Industry Ministry operates six trade bureaus in China and provides assistance to Israeli companies seeking to enter the Chinese market.
"For quite some time, China has not been 'the future' – China is the present and we will continue to make every effort … to maximize Israeli potential in that enormous market," Economy and Industry Minister Eli Cohen told Israel Hayom.
