Aviv Ezra, Israel's deputy foreign ministry director for Asia and the Pacific, visited China last week. He was the highest-level Israeli official to visit since the Gaza war began in 2023. Ezra said, "We do not let [ties] be hijacked by the political sphere and we continue our ongoing activities on the bilateral." He added that as the peace deal with Hamas advances, risks are decreasing, allowing stronger China-Israel relations. Ezra described the ties as "carrying great significance" and expressed optimism about future cooperation in commerce, technology, innovation, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges. He said, "The synergy has … huge potential, which I personally think is much more than what we have utilised until now." Relations worsened after Hamas attacked Israel in October 2023, causing thousands of deaths and hostages. China’s initial reluctance to condemn Hamas and support for the Palestinian cause raised tensions. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu accused China of backing an attack on Israel via social media. Beijing denied this. Despite political differences, Ezra emphasized that Israel expects support but accepts disagreements. He stated, "It’s a concept of a negotiation sometimes, sometimes discussion, sometimes mutual understanding, but we don’t create a linkage between the political [difference] and between the bilateral [relations]." Concerns remain around sanctions and restrictions from China on Israeli tech companies, affecting innovation cooperation. However, some partnerships continue. For example, Israeli firm Dalia Energy signed agreements with Chinese companies to build power plants. Ezra also reaffirmed Israel's commitment to the one-China policy amid worries about Taiwan-related tensions. He declared, "Israel adhered to the one-China policy and will continue to adhere to the one-China policy and there’s no change in that." The two countries have shared historical ties in technology and innovation. China's foreign ministry noted the "traditional friendship" and readiness to maintain cooperation. Joint innovation hubs in Shanghai and Changzhou continue to grow, serving over 1,700 students mainly from China. Ezra’s visit signals efforts to keep China-Israel relations steady despite regional conflicts and political challenges.