Chinese enterprises push forward B&R initiative through infrastructure projects in Israel

As part of efforts to push forward the Belt and Road Initiative abroad to improve local people's livelihood, Chinese enterprises have been involved in several big national projects in Israel, one of the countries along the route of the initiative.

An Israeli worker receives interview from CRI reporters. [Photo: China Plus]

Chinese firms have been taking part in a variety of infrastructure projects in Israel including roads, railways and ports.

One of them is the Tel Aviv Light Rail project, which is set to build the first subway line in the Israeli coastal city.

In 2015, China Railway Tunnel Group and Israel's Solel Boneh Infrastructure won the bid to build the tunnels and stations in the western section of the "Red Line", the first part of the Tel Aviv light rail subway system.

The system, still under construction currently, is Israel's biggest infrastructure project approved by the country's government, aiming to reduce the city's traffic congestion.

Israeli Transport Minister Yisrael Katz expressed his confidence in the project's success, saying they are seeing a very important project to Israel, and they trust Chinese company to do a good job.

Port of Ashdod in southern Israel under construction [Photo: China Plus/Sun Lingli]

Another project is the construction of the Port of Ashdod in southern Israel undertaken by China Harbor's unit Pan Mediterranean Engineering, with one third of the work completed since it began in 2014.

Asaf Shamli, an official in charge of the project's rules and regulations issue, said the port will boost the import and export of Israeli commodities, and provide more job opportunities for local people.

Liu Dongbing, general manager of Pan Mediterranean Engineering, said through the port projects, Chinese firms will not only bring their advanced technology to Israel, but also gain the rich experience of learning from local laws and management rules.

Workers pull a cable. [Photo: China Plus]

Chinese ambassador to Israel Zhan Yongxin said the projects, as part of the efforts to promote the Belt and Road Initiative in Israel, will even make contributions to the peace process in the Middle East.

In March, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to advance innovation cooperation during the latter's official visit to China.