JERUSALEM - China and Israel agree that the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries should continue, Zhai Jun, Chinese special envoy for Middle East affairs, said during a briefing on Monday in Tel Aviv.

China-Israel cooperation is the underlying aspiration of both sides, which focuses on the interests and well-being of the two peoples and is based on mutual respect and mutual benefit, Zhai told reporters.

Zhai said he was glad to hear from Israeli Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz during their meeting that Israel welcomes more Chinese investors and companies to Israel.

Zhai expects that bilateral cooperation will grow within the framework of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Israel and the Middle East at large are "important participants of the BRI," he said, adding that he looks forward to seeing more Belt and Road cooperation and outcomes.