China and Israel to deepen pragmatic cooperation

China will continue to deepen pragmatic cooperation with Israel to benefit both countries and their people, Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said during a daily news conference in Beijing on Thursday.

China and Israel agreed on the wording of an agreement on Wednesday that will help bring about 6,000 Chinese construction workers to Israel, The Jerusalem Post reported.

Bilateral cooperation continues to gain positive outcomes in trade, science and technology as well as people-to-people exchanges since the two countries initially set up diplomatic ties, Geng said without confirming the report.

However, Geng said China is opposed to the construction of Jewish settlements in occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem and the West Bank.

The spokesman referred to Resolution 2334 the UN Security Council adopted late December, in which the council says "the establishment by Israel of settlements in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, has no legal validity".