TEL AVIV (JTA) —  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong to announce a binational agreement to foster innovation, as well as an agreement to cooperate during emergencies.

“There’s a natural affinity and friendship between the ancient people of China and the ancient people of Israel,” Netanyahu said in a statement Monday. “We are both rooted in great traditions, but we also are absolutely determined to seize the future, and I welcome you in that spirit to Jerusalem and in the hopes of seizing the future together.”

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The announcement was one one of several events in Israel this week highlighting Chinese-Israeli collaboration. On Monday,Tel Aviv University announced the launch of a research and innovation partnership with Tsinghua University in Beijing.

The partnership, which will have a budget of $300 million, will operate on both campuses and focus on scientific innovation and education, according to a press release.

Liu will also speak at the Israel Innovation Conference in Tel Aviv on Tuesday. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the Knesset will host an Israel-China Economic Summit.

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