Israel, China to expedite FTA negotiation: Israeli PM

BEIJING, Match 23 (Xinhuanet) -- Israel and China have agreed to expedite the negotiations on the free trade agreement (FTA), said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday.

During an online interaction with Xinhua netizens, the prime minister noted that Israel and China have agreed to accelerate the process.

According to him, the signing of the FTA will facilitate Israeli companies to invest in China and sell their products in a greater pace in China which is important to Israel.

The prime minister also expected the FTA to improve the match of needs and capabilities between the two countries.

He noted the agreement will promote Israel's high technology transfer to China through trade and partnership.

“The best way to achieve the transfer of high technology is to get the technological firms actually present in the country,” said the prime minister.

"What we would like to do is to take our particular experience of innovation and put it to use for the benefit of China,” he added.

The prime minister said Israel and China have agreed to increase the number of exchange students, saying there is no substitute for such a people-to-people exchange.

He also lauded the achievement made by the Chinese people, calling it a “miracle”，stressing "together we can perform other miracles.” .

Netanyahu paid an official visit to China from March 19 to 22 at the invitation of Premier Li Keqiang.