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Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong, on Tuesday morning 23 Adar (China standard Time) at the official guest house in Beijing, attended the Third Meeting of the China-Israel Joint Committee on Innovation Cooperation. The two held a meeting (with their delegations) in which they discussed the importance of the tight bilateral cooperation in promoting technological innovation.

The Committee was also attended by Science Technology and Space Minister Ofir Akunis, Health Minister Yaakov Litzman, Environmental Protection Minister Ze’ev Elkin and Economy and Industry Minister Eli Cohen, as well as Prime Minister’s Office Director General Eli Groner, Justice Ministry Director General Emi Palmor and Innovation Authority Chairman Avi Hasson.

The ministers and director generals signed the following agreements:

1) MOU on proposals for flagship plans in 2017 (by Science, Technology and space Minister Akunis);

2) China-Israel cooperation on emergency medicine in 2017-2020 (by Health Minister Litzman);

3) Science Ministry “young leaders’ program – delegations to Israel (by Science, Technology and space Minister Akunis);

4) Hospitals association cooperation agreement (by Health Minister Litzman);

5) MOU on environmental issues (by Environmental Protection Minister Elkin);

6) Letter of intent on cooperation in education:

7) Update to the scholarships agreement;

8) MOU between the innovation Authority and the city of Changzhou on establishing a joint office (by Innovation Authority Chairman Hasson);

9) Agreement on joint projects between the joint science funds; and

10) Intellectual property agreement (by Justice Ministry Director general Palmor).

Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong thanked Prime Minister Netanyahu for his personal commitment to the Committee and to advancing bilateral relations in general.

The Chinese Vice Premier said that the Committee, which includes a considerable number of government ministries from both countries, has proven itself and led to practical and important results, including the abovementioned significant agreements which promise increased innovation cooperation between China and Israel. That additional ministries join every meeting indicates the success of the forum. She noted that China has such an innovation framework only with Israel and said that the Committee must continue to be beneficial and even be expanded in coming years.

Prime Minister Netanyahu said that the framework of the committee is vital for bilateral relations and noted that it joins two additional frameworks – cooperation with the NDRC and the negotiations on a free-trade agreement –which together constitute the heart of bilateral relations: Cooperation in science, initiatives and innovation.

Prime Minister Netanyahu thanked the Chinese Vice Premier for her personal commitment to the success of the forum and emphasized Israel’s commitment to its continuation. He noted that both countries have longstanding traditions and are committed to building societies that promote technology and innovation. He added that China and Israel have three characteristics in common: Ancient cultural traditions, people that are engaged in trade and a desire for excellence and a commitment to constant improvement. Two additional components must be added: Investment in science and innovation, the combination of which ensures the continued prosperity of both countries. Bilateral innovation cooperation is the yeast in the cake of the Israel-China relationship and enables it to increase and rise.

Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong and Prime Minister Netanyahu noted that their countries have – during the latter’s current visit – agreed to upgrade the Innovative Comprehensive Partnership between them, which will bring raise bilateral cooperation to new heights.

The two leaders noted their satisfaction at the tightening of links and cooperation in academia, as exemplified the presence of university heads at the meeting, the increase in direct flights between the two countries, the ten-year multiple entry visa agreement that took effect last November and the increase in Chinese tourism to Israel.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem/Photo Credit: Haim Zach, GPO)