Due to political sensitivity: Israel has coordinated with the US the existence of an economic summit with China

The Innovation Committee convened today, chaired by Foreign Minister Lapid and Chinese Vice President.

A senior Israeli official revealed that the early coordination was done to maintain transparency with the Biden administration, which is sensitive regarding Chinese intrusion into the Israeli economy.

"We know who our most important ally is, but we will not avoid deals with China"

Lightning Ravid

24/01/2022

Monday, 24 January 2022, 20:11 Updated: 20:47

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Israel coordinated in advance with the United States the meeting of the Innovation Committee with China that took place today (Monday), during which plans for economic cooperation between Beijing and Jerusalem were agreed.

A senior Israeli official said the early coordination was done to maintain transparency with the Biden administration, which is highly sensitive when it comes to Chinese penetration of the Israeli economy.

The senior official noted that State Department officials updated their State Department colleagues in Washington a few days ago on the committee's planned meeting.

According to the senior official, the Americans did not express any opposition or make reservations.

The Israel-China Innovation Committee convened today, chaired by Foreign Minister Yair Lapid and Chinese Vice President.

Lapid said at the beginning of the meeting that the Innovation Committee "is an important platform that enables the realization of the special framework of relations between the two countries."

Torch (Photo: Reuters)

The Israeli-Chinese Innovation Committee convened for the first time in 2014 with the aim of holding senior-level discussions between the two governments, especially with regard to economic cooperation. This is the fifth time the committee has convened and during today's discussion a joint work plan was signed until 2024.

In recent weeks, Israel and the United States have maintained quiet contacts regarding policy towards China and especially regarding American concerns about Chinese investments in infrastructure in Israel and the Israeli high-tech sector. A meeting between an Israeli team led by Deputy National Security Adviser Avivit Bar-Ilan and an American team led by the Deputy National Security Adviser at the White House to discuss the Chinese issue.

The new government in Israel has made it clear to the United States on several occasions in recent months that it is re-examining the policy that was pursued towards China during Netanyahu's tenure with the intention of making changes to it.

However, the December 14 meeting was the first time since President Biden took office that the two countries had an orderly discussion on China.

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A senior Israeli official said that during the meeting between the Israeli team and the American team, both sides generally presented their policies and the thought processes they are conducting on the Chinese issue, but no decisions were made.

One week later, during a visit by White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan to Jerusalem, he raised the Chinese issue during his meetings with Foreign Minister Lapid and Prime Minister Bennett.

Sullivan stressed the need to create a united front to deal with China.

The senior Israeli official noted that the government in Jerusalem is debating whether to choose a side in the rivalry between the United States and China or to continue trying to balance relations with the United States and relations with China so as not to harm trade with the Chinese.

"We have no hesitation about who our most important ally is. We are aware of the concerns of the Americans and we are showing more transparency than before," the senior Israeli official said.

"But on the other hand we will not refrain from doing things with China that the Americans do themselves."

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