Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Monday sent a congratulatory message to new Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who succeeded Israel's longest-serving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week.

Li said relations between China and Israel have developed steadily in recent years, with the progress made in practical cooperation in various fields.

The Chinese government attaches great importance to relations with Israel and is willing to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation with Israel and expand friendly exchanges at various levels, he said, adding that China expects greater development in the innovative comprehensive partnership between the two countries.