Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has ordered aides to draft a plan for deeper relationship with China, Israel's local daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported Sunday.

Olmert made the remarks during the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem. He said Chinese officials expressed interest in improved economic relations with Israel.

The prime minister on Thursday ended his three-day official visit in Beijing where he met with Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao.

In talks with his Chinese counterpart Wen, Olmert said Israel was willing to resolve the Middle East issue through peaceful

negotiations, and his country would expand trade and cooperation in technological research and development with China.

The visit would also mark the 15th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between China and Israel.

Source: Xinhua