Israel is satisfied with the development of its friendly ties with China and willing to further boost the relationship along with China, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom said Friday in Tel Aviv.

China has become Israel's largest trade partner in Asia, and Israel has decided to recognize China's market economy status, Shalom said during his meeting with Wang Jiarui, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.

For his part, Wang said the CPC and the Chinese government have always attached great importance to ties with Israel, and that a long-term friendly and mutually beneficial relationship with Israel is not only needed by the two countries, but also conforms to the interests of the two peoples.

With concerted efforts of both sides, relations between the two countries will surely see further development, said Wang.

Wang and his CPC delegation arrived in Israel on Monday on a six-day visit to Israel and Palestine.

Source: Xinhua