(Source: CGTN)

This year China and Israel are marking 25 years of diplomatic ties.  Israel was the first Middle Eastern country to recognize the People's Republic of China.

China is now Israel's largest trade partner in Asia, and third largest trade partner in the world. Last year, bilateral trade volume surpassed 11.3 billion US dollars, up from 3 billion in 2005. China has invested over 6 billion US dollars in Israel, covering a wide range of industries including cutting-edge technologies.

A number of Chinese companies have set up research and development centers in Israel, such as Huawei, Xiaomi and Fosun.  And a free trade deal is under negotiation.

In 2016, the number of Chinese tourists to Israel totalled close to 80 thousand, an increase of 69 percent.  And, a reciprocal ten-year visa plan went into effect in November.