Chief scientist with the Israeli Ministry of Industry,Trade and Labor, Avi Hasson (right) answers a reporter's question at a press briefing on Monday, November 7, 2011. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com/Xu Fei]

Israel is hoping to facilitate joint scientific research projects with China, having recently described China as one of its most important target partners.

Chief scientist with the Israeli Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor, Avi Hasson, made the statement on Monday at a press briefing; the second day after his arrival in Beijing.

Hasson said there are a variety of projects of ongoing cooperation between Israeli and Chinese companies in sectors covering communication, software, biotechnology, energy and water, and these projects will benefit both economies.

"I think there are a lot of areas in which we can work together to meet this grand challenge which is not only about technology, but also about social benefits. In Israel, as you might know, we have no water, very little water. But we do have a lot of sun, and this has created, among many other reasons, very advanced research and very advanced industries in these areas many years ago. Israel is actually number one in the world in terms of water recovery and water re-use. We re-use about 75 percent of our water. A lot of different pieces of the puzzle, which exist in Israel, I think can be applied as part of the ongoing projects in China."

Counselor of Economic and Commercial Affairs with the Israeli embassy in China, Hovav Ref, noted at the press briefing that Israel will sign deals with Tianjin water management on water resource cooperation next week. Other similar deals have already been signed between Israel and Beijing water authorities.

Also disclosed at the press conference was the news that China will send 24 delegations to Israel next week, exploring areas of potential cooperation related to water technology.

China has only 6 percent of the world's water resources and 20 percent of the global population. The country's agriculture is in desperate need of a better water infrastructure.

Avi Hasson is currently leading a scientists' delegation on a weeklong trip in China, which will take them to China's most important economic hub --- Shanghai municipality, as well as east China's Jiangsu Province.

Israel's Office of the Chief Scientist works to assist in the development of technology in Israel as a means of fostering economic growth, encouraging technological innovation and entrepreneurship, stimulating high value-added research and development and encouraging R&D collaboration both nationally and internationally.