Zhuhai brings China economy, Israel innovation closer

Following a successful first two days in Hong Kong, the 3rd China-Israel Investment Summit moved to the Zhuhai International Conference & Exhibition Center where 2,500 people convened in Shizimen on June 27 and 28.

Ambassador to China Zvi Heifetz said in Zhuhai that the Israeli Embassy will call on more enterprises to cooperate with leading Chinese enterprise accelerators to lend greater support for China's innovative development. Heifetz called China one of the most important economies in the world, while Israel is noted for remarkable innovation. The summit, he added, is a platform for Chinese and Israeli enterprises and investors to have in-depth exchanges.

Scheduled are more than 3,000 B2B sessions to explore investment opportunities for cooperation, sci-tech presentations by Israeli manufacturers, roadshows for startups and hi-tech firms, and five forums on investment and technology sharing, growth of the Greater Bay Area, and the economic development of Zhuhai.

Signing ceremony on Zhuhai opening day [Photo by Zhong Fan / Zhuhai Daily]

Guangdong Vice Gov Yuan Baocheng congratulated the organizers on the opening of the summit and welcomed all the distinguished guests on behalf of the provincial government.

There are bright prospects for cooperation between Guangdong and Israel, said the vice governor, who also extended hopes that the two parties could broaden talks in more fields to achieve win-win cooperation at a higher level. He also asked that the summit generate more business opportunities and deeper friendship between Israel and China, especially Guangdong.

Zhuhai Mayor Li Zezhong presided over the opening ceremony in the Shizimen Central Business District of Zhuhai. City Party Chief Guo Yuanqiang welcomed everyone, saying that the city was looking forward to establishing an innovative platform with Israel. It will be used to introduce more international high-caliber talents and cutting-edge technologies to achieve mutual benefits in furthering innovative development.

A launch ceremony for a state-level Sino-Israeli innovation fund and a signing ceremony for 13 strategic cooperation agreements worth more than $2.5 billion took place afterward.

Also in attendance were Li Xuedong, representing China's Belt & Road Initiative; Consul-General of Israel in Guangzhou Nadav Cohen; and Cao Wenlian, director general of the International Cooperation Center of the National Development & Reform Commission.

Amir Gal Or, founder and managing partner of Infinity Group and president of INNONATION, also delivered an opening speech. In addition, Tzachi Hanegbi, Israel's minister of regional cooperation, sent a video message to extend congratulations on the opening of the Zhuhai sessions.