Li said that Israel is now a preferred destination for Chinese travelers. He said he expects tens of thousands of Chinese to visit Israel.
Li met with members of the Knesset Foreign and Defense Committee yesterday. He told the committee that China wishes to cooperate with Israel on all levels, “economic, commercial, technological, and in tourism.”
He expressed hope that relations between the two countries will be based not only on the ancient past that characterizes the two nations, but also on what he called, “today and tomorrow.”
Knesset Speaker Ruby Rivlin told the foreign minister that Israel and China are unique in that both countries can prove their historic connection to their homelands.
In his talks yesterday with Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom, Li said that China appreciates the efforts by the Israeli Government to develop relations with China in accordance with the interests of both sides. He said that this is also conducive to peace and stability in the Middle East region and the world at large.
Prior to the meeting, Shalom formally apologized to the United States for selling Harpy unmanned drones to China. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who wrapped up a visit to Israel earlier this week, harshly criticized that sale. The U.S. contends the missiles could be used against Taiwan, a renegade Chinese province backed by the United States.
Last year, the U.S. forced Israel to cancel a deal to sell Phalcon airplanes to China, on the grounds that the sale would have undermined U.S. security.
Shalom also criticized Chinese foreign policy on Sunday, suggesting the Chinese should become more evenhanded in its Mid-East policy.
Despite the uneasiness over the issue of weapons sales, Li’s visit was upbeat. Li told Shalom that China will make efforts to double the volume of its trade with Israel, from $2.5 billion last year to $5 billion by 2008.
Li met with members of the Knesset Foreign and Defense Committee yesterday. He told the committee that China wishes to cooperate with Israel on all levels, “economic, commercial, technological, and in tourism.”
He expressed hope that relations between the two countries will be based not only on the ancient past that characterizes the two nations, but also on what he called, “today and tomorrow.”
Knesset Speaker Ruby Rivlin told the foreign minister that Israel and China are unique in that both countries can prove their historic connection to their homelands.
In his talks yesterday with Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom, Li said that China appreciates the efforts by the Israeli Government to develop relations with China in accordance with the interests of both sides. He said that this is also conducive to peace and stability in the Middle East region and the world at large.
Prior to the meeting, Shalom formally apologized to the United States for selling Harpy unmanned drones to China. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who wrapped up a visit to Israel earlier this week, harshly criticized that sale. The U.S. contends the missiles could be used against Taiwan, a renegade Chinese province backed by the United States.
Last year, the U.S. forced Israel to cancel a deal to sell Phalcon airplanes to China, on the grounds that the sale would have undermined U.S. security.
Shalom also criticized Chinese foreign policy on Sunday, suggesting the Chinese should become more evenhanded in its Mid-East policy.
Despite the uneasiness over the issue of weapons sales, Li’s visit was upbeat. Li told Shalom that China will make efforts to double the volume of its trade with Israel, from $2.5 billion last year to $5 billion by 2008.