The new Israeli ambassador to China, Irit Ben-Abba, said on Monday that despite the negative impact of the COVID-19 epidemic, relations between China and Israel have continued to flourish in many areas. China became Israel’s second largest source of imports in 2020. The two countries have great cooperative potential in many fields, among which innovation cooperation is the top priority.

File photo: Agencies

The ambassador emphasized that the epidemic is a global crisis, in which China and Israel, as two countries that effectively contained its spread, can deepen cooperation in scientific research and data sharing, to jointly facilitate the global fight against the pandemic. Israel is willing to work with China to resume long-interrupted personnel exchanges and international travel, and establish a mechanism for mutual recognition of health certificates so that safe and orderly personnel travel will be promoted.

The ambassador also mentioned that she was in China 25 years ago. Compared with initial impressions, she said China has achieved ‘unbelievable development’ in becoming a modern country.