CHENGDU - Premier Li Keqiang and Israeli Prime Minister (PM) Benjamin Netanyahu sent letters of congratulations to an international high-tech expo that opened Thursday in southwest China's Sichuan province.

Li said that China highly values sci-tech innovation, pursues an innovation-driven development strategy and promotes mass entrepreneurship and innovation in order to maintain medium-high speed economic growth.

Stating that China's innovation-driven development is open, Li said China is willing to carry out international cooperation, strengthen the synergy of innovation networks and contribute to global economic recovery and growth via sci-tech innovation.

As this year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Israel, Li said China is also willing to work together with Israel to strengthen cooperation and create new growth engines.

China hopes the two sides can enhance exchanges, discuss cooperation models and complement each other's advantages so as to achieve mutually beneficial and win-win results.

Netanyahu said in his letter that he believes the expo will help advance Israel-China trade and sci-tech cooperation.

The fifth China Science and Technology City International High-tech Expo started Thursday in Mianyang city of Southwest China's Sichuan province, with Israel as the guest of honor. It will conclude on Saturday.