Israel and China to open research centre to advance technologies in both countries

TAU officials say they hope the XIN Research Centre will cement ties between the two countries and create opportunities for tech advancement in both countries.

The two universities said they will exchange graduate students and faculty members to work at the joint research centre based at the two institutions.

The co-operation will initially focus on nanotechnology, particularly with medical and optics applications, but may be later expanded to other areas, including raw materials, water treatment and environmental issues.

The agreement establishing the institution was signed Tuesday by Professor Joseph Klafter, president of TAU, and government and academic officials from China on a visit to Israel.

“This is an exceptionally important project,” Klafter said. “This centre will open new horizons for Israeli society,” advancing technology in both countries and helping provide Israel with new business opportunities.

Both governments provided funding for the project, a TAU spokesperson said, but most of the money came from private sources in both countries.

On the occasion of the Chinese delegation’s visit, several Israel-China business events are taking place in Israel as part of what some in the tech industry have been calling 'China Week'.

Tuesday’s agreement was signed in the presence of Liu Yandong, Vice Premier of the People’s Republic of China, who met earlier with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.

“China is Israel’s largest trading partner in Asia and fast becoming perhaps Israel’s largest trading partner period as we move into the future,” Netanyahu said.

“We admire China and we think there are complementary things that Israel brings to this relationship. One of them is innovation."