Posted on 04/02/2015 3:51:32 PM PDT by 9thLife
Under the framework of the recently launched Chinese-Israeli “Water City” project, 20 officials from the municipality of Shouguang are visiting the country this week to explore a variety of Israeli innovations across the sector, the Economy Ministry announced on Monday.
The trip to Israel follows Economy Minister Naftali Bennett’s November visit to China, during which Israeli and Chinese officials declared the eastern Chinese coastal city of Shouguang as the future hub – or “Water City” – for Israeli water activities in the Asian nation. At the time, the decision was made by Israeli and Chinese government officials that Israeli water technologies would be implemented on a commercial scale in Shouguang, serving as potentially adaptable models for other areas in China.
Shouguang, located adjacent to the Laizhou Bay in the Shangdong province, is about 500 km. southeast of Beijing and 800 km. north of Shanghai.
In return for hosting the companies, Shouguang would receive access to advanced technologies in the fields of desalination, sewage treatment, irrigation, agricultural water reuse, water supply and more.
The Economy Ministry views China as a rapidly growing market in the water sector, which necessitates enormous infrastructure construction and upgrades due to rapid urbanization. In addition, the country’s development rate of polluting industries requires the integration of technologies that can preserve the environment, the ministry added.
To implement the Water City project, a joint working group between Israeli and Chinese experts is being head by Economy Ministry director- general Amit Lang.
“The Water City initiative in China is a concrete example of advancement of trade relations of Israel with China, and the Economy Ministry recognizes its importance as a target market,” Lang said. “The Chinese market holds many opportunities for Israeli industry in a variety of fields and disciplines, while the Israeli water sector has tremendous potential to bring about capital- intensive projects.”
The delegation of about 20 officials from Shouguang is in Israel from Monday through Wednesday, in the first of a series of working visits regarding the Water City project.
The visit is expected to signal the beginning of the stage of identifying suitable Israeli companies and technologies to operate their systems in the Chinese city. The ministry’s Israel NewTech branch is organizing tours for the delegation and has arranged for their participation in a seminar about Shouguang’s challenges and needs, which will include meetings with Israeli companies.
In addition, the Economy Ministry’s Foreign Trade Administration said it will soon be launching a competitive process to select a consortium for administrating the project, which will be funded by the Chinese partners.
“Israel is known as a global leader in the water industry, both in terms of building a national water sector on a policy and regulatory level and in terms of the development of innovative technologies,” said Ziva Eiger, director of the Economy Ministry’s foreign investment and industrial cooperation department. “Projects in the water sector are large and complex by nature, especially when it comes to a big country like China. The Water City’s launch may pave the way for the Israeli water industry’s penetration into the Chinese market, and constitutes a major initiative for government- business cooperation between Israel and China.”
Hmmm... can we get the Israelis to collaborate with the US on desalination?
Well, we might have, but Obama said something about “reassessing the relationship” with Israel so, I wouldn’t hold my breath.
Seems to me this is a fool’s game.
Israel turns over the technology on project one, and the Chinese replicate on projects 2 - ????.
What does Israel really gain, other than give away it’s technology for nothing.
It’s uncanny China’s ability to convince other nations to gift it with things it couldn’t or at the very least didn’t develop on it’s own.
The U. S. is the biggest sucker on this count. We have gifted China with most of our patent database. This to a nation that bootlegs foreign property at will. China doesn’t recognize foreign property rights. (patents, copywrites etc...)
Given obama's promise to "reevaluate the relationship" with Israel, it certainly behooves them to keep an open mind about alliances with other powerful nations that aren't historically bigoted toward them. I assume China is agnostic about whom they try to take advantage of.
*about whom it tries to take advantage of.
Can’t argue with any of that. I have also been somewhat curious of driving Israel into the China camp. Seems rather lame, but I don’t think Obama has a lick of sense. I would be very cautious about China though if I were Israel.
Me too. I have to believe they are.
Now if another leader comes along, say an Israeli "obama", all bets are off. There is risk in making alliances now that such a leader could abuse. On the other hand, better the relationship be shaped by a good leader first, not a bad one later.
See how obama ruins everything for everyone? Reminds me of the song Elton John wrote about John Lennon's murder, speaking of his murdered: "It's funny how one insect can damage so much grain."
*... his murderer...
If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.
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Obama has forced us to reassess our relationship.
Very unfortunate for both Israel and the USA, but I don’t particulalty want to die in an Obama/Iranian nuclear holicaust.
“Obama has forced us to reassess our relationship.”
As well you should. The less Israel has to do with the USA, the better off her people will be. The once great USA is so corrupt and screwed up right now there is virtually no country that should trust the USA.
All 9 million residents of Israel could be vaporized tomorrow and all Obama would do is blame it on the Republicans and immediately go play another round of golf.
My prayers are for Israel and her people.
Me either because I don't want to have my life taken by a scumbag or a scoundrel but if it must be, let it be in Israel.
Yes, exactly...
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