ISRAEL has long been a gold mine for foreign investors thanks to its thriving startup scene and the strength of its high-tech industries. In recent years, Chinese companies have also flocked to the tiny Middle Eastern country in search of opportunities. Big names like Alibaba, Baidu and Xiaomi have all taken stakes in Israeli tech businesses, adding to a steadily growing list of acquisition deals across a diverse array of industries.

The interest, however, hasn’t been one-sided. Israeli firms and agencies have also shown an interest in China. For them, the country’s vast markets and opportunities for cooperation are too promising to pass up.

“We have about 10 pure Israeli companies in Shanghai now. Last year it was seven. My dream is to see 15 or 20 next year, together with a major increase of Chinese direct investment into Israel,” said Amikam Levy, the newly arrived Israeli consul general in Shanghai.

Levy’s dream accords with the Israeli government’s ambitious goals in China. In five years, officials expect to double Israeli exports to the country (excluding commodities and internal sales), triple the number of Chinese visitors to Israel and record major increases in mutual investment and joint projects.

Before coming to Shanghai, Levy served as consul general in Hong Kong and Macau. He has also worked as a diplomat in other parts of Asia. Based on his experience in the fast-moving region, he’s confident that his government’s goals and his own vision will soon become a reality.

“Every year — every six months — I can see the change. I can feel it by the number of Israel companies in China, by their understanding of the country, and by the growing number of cooperations between both sides,” he explained.

“I know the goals are achievable, otherwise I wouldn’t be here. I know it for sure, and I believe this 100 percent. The same is true with my government and my colleagues.”

Starting in 2012, Israel began strengthening its ties with China, India and Japan. The country’s relationship with China specifically has been identified as a strategic and economic priority by a host of high-ranking officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Economy Naftali Bennett.

During that same year, Matan Vilnai, a retired major general and a former minister, was appointed Israeli ambassador to China, a rare appointment which reflects how the Israel government values the importance of the bilateral relationship, Levy explained.

As the governments have increased high-level discussions and exchanges, there’s also been a steadily growing interest in Israel among Chinese entrepreneurs and tourists. Levy believes the current upswing in bilateral collaborations and trade is only the beginning of a long process, one that has the potential to bring many more benefits to both countries.

The consul general’s views are rooted in his confidence in the underlying strength of Israel’s economy. Indeed, he displays a visible passion when discussing his country’s economic achievements in spite of its small size and difficult security environment.

He offered the Chinese-language edition of “Start-up Nation: The Story of Israel’s Economic Miracle” as a present during talks with Shanghai Daily. The book, published in Chinese in 2010, has become a major source of information for Chinese readers looking to learn more about Israel’s economic development and innovative capacity.

For even casual observers of Israel’s “miracle” economy, there are plenty of impressive statistics to chew over. Thirty-seven percent of Israeli export are high-tech products and services. The country also ranks first in the world when it comes to venture-capital investment per capita, as well as spending on research and development relative to GDP. In 2014, the country of nine million people had 4,800 start-ups.

Levy can’t hide his pride as he lists off such figures. “We are a tiny country with a short history, and we live in constant conflict. Nonetheless, we have been successful at maintaining a stable economy. Our strengths are generating change, being creative, understanding our needs and finding solutions.”

For Levy and many of his compatriots, Israel’s economic development and global engagement efforts are about more than seeing the country prosper economically.

“We care for the next generation. We want to see our children in a safe, modern and stable world. Our main goal is to wake up in the morning with optimism. As we think about how we can make this happen, we can’t think alone. We need a partner to help fulfil such dreams. And we’ve decided to dream together with Chinese people.”

During his years serving in China, he has worked and made friends with many Chinese people. Levy believes the two countries share many of the same values and interests.

He listed the 2008 economic crisis as an example of how Chinese and Israeli minds are alike, in spite of the distinct language, historical and cultural differences.

“I remember that period very well. It was a very difficult situation in both China and Israel,” he recalled. “But it was not disastrous, like many other places. We were two of the few countries to keep our heads above water.”

He attributes this to each country’s ability to find creative solutions in times of challenge.

Israeli companies are particularly strong in the high-tech, medical device, clean tech and agriculture industries, but Levy believes that Israeli companies can become global leaders in a host of other fields.

He also offered a few tips to companies and investors seeking opportunities in the Chinese market, where foreign entrepreneurs often struggle due to language and cultural barriers.

“You have to come and be prepared to live here for a while, to learn about Chinese business codes. And you need a local partner, otherwise it’s too hard,” he explained.

Direct flights between Beijing and Tel Aviv are now regularly filled with Chinese curious about Israel, and Levy is confident a direct route from Shanghai will soon to be established.

“Our main goal now is to leverage investments to create closer relationships between the two countries, because the world has changed. Economics is the name of the game and that is what we are doing here,” he concluded.

“Doing business is about trust. Now the trust level between China and Israel is 10, on a one-to-ten scale. Our mission is to keep it that way.”

Q: What is the one item you can’t live without?

A: My laptop, both for work and for entertainment. If I had to leave now, I would take my laptop. I just need to be connected to the Internet.

Q: What are the best and worst things being a diplomat?

A: To be honest, there really is no worst thing. There are no weak points to being a diplomat. I’ve been doing this for more than 40 years and I don’t know any other kind of life. I come from a family of three generations of ambassadors, and it is part of my life and family to be a diplomat. I have grown up knowing to contribute to the state.

The best part is interacting with people. I’m very curious and it’s the best part of the job to meet people, to make new friends, to study and understand new cultures; and to face and overcome difficulties.

Q: What is your motto in life?

A: Friends and family are both important. And you need honesty and generosity.