Gansu province's vice-governor says they are expecting to work with Israel in agriculture, water conservation, education and science and technology to each party's advantage, especially in line with the Belt and Road program that China's President, Xi Jinping, has proposed.

Xia Hongmin made the remark in a meeting with a group of visitors, led by Israel's ambassador to China, Matan Vilnai, on Sept 7, in the provincial city of Lanzhou, where he described the social and economic development of Gansu.

Xia went on to say, "Gansu is a land-locked province, but is abundant in resources, and it has many opportunities in cooperating with countries along the ancient Silk Road," noting that it sits astride the Silk Road, which linked North China and Central and West Asia in the past.

The ambassador responded by saying that the Israeli embassy will make a greater effort in educational exchanges and tourism to benefit both parties.

Edited by Roger Bradshaw Li Xiaoxu