On 24 March 2025, Ambassador Xiao Junzheng met with Yona Yahav, Mayor of Haifa. Both sides exchanged views on promoting China-Israel friendship and practical cooperation across the board between the Chinese side and Haifa. Minister Counsellor Qin Weidong and Counsellor Liu Kaiyang from the Embassy were present.

Ambassador Xiao commended and appreciated Mayor Yahav for actively promoting all-round cooperation between Haifa and the Chinese cities such as Shanghai and Shenzhen in the fields of culture, science, technology, trade, economic and people-to-people exchanges over the years. Xiao said that the Chinese Embassy in Israel will continue serving as a bridge， facilitating friendly bilateral exchanges between localities， and deepening cooperation in various fields between China and Israel.

Mayor Yahav said that Shanghai accommodated and protected a large number of Jewish refugees from Europe during World War II, which is a story of friendship worth remembering forever. China has made great achievements in its reform and opening up. Haifa looks forward to strengthening exchanges and cooperation with its Chinese twin cities in various fields such as economy, trade, science, biotechnology, culture, and education.