Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu met in Beijing Monday with Israeli Welfare and Social Services Minister Isaac Herzog, saying China was ready to deepen cooperation with Israel in areas such as trade and economy.

According to a press release issued Tuesday from the General Office of the State Council, Hui expressed China's willingness to further cooperation with Israel, especially as 2010 is the 18th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-Israeli diplomatic ties.

He said China was willing to reinforce political friendship with Israel, and advance bilateral cooperation in areas such as civil services, agriculture, and water resources.

China always has upheld the principles of mutual respect, equality, mutually beneficial exchange and non-interference in each other's internal affairs when carrying out cooperation with Israel, he said.

Herzog expressed his condolences to the victims of the 7.1-magnitude earthquake which hit northwest China's Qinghai Province, and said he admired the "rapid and effective relief work" taken by the Chinese government and people.

Herzog, who was invited by China's Ministry of Civil Affairs, had come to China with the aim of promoting Sino-Israeli cooperation in the areas of civil services and disaster relief.