The Tender Committee of the Israel Ports Company last week disqualified the Chinese company China Harbor Engineering Company from competing for a tender to establish a distillery port in Haifa Bay. The reason for the disqualification, as published, is due to Israel’s “national security” interests.
China Harbor’s parent company, China Communications Construction Company, is on the US “blacklist” for engaging in projects that help China expand its foothold in the South China Sea. However, China Harbor is known in Israel mainly through its subsidiary, Pan Mediterranean Engineering Company (PMEC), which built the South Port and expanded Pier 21 in Ashdod. PMEC also holds about 34% of the shares in the Alon Tavor power plant.
China Harbor’s disqualification from participating in the tender followed a series of articles in the Israeli media that criticized the involvement of Chinese companies in Israel’s infrastructure, particularly in Haifa’s Gulf Port, which is operated by the Shanghai International Ports Group. It must be understood that there is no connection between these articles, presumably motivated by the economic interests of competitors, and the disqualification of China Harbor. The decision of the security officials to disqualify the company due to the sensitivity of the facility or its location was prudent. A similar stance should also be taken toward companies from other foreign countries.
In general, despite the great anger in Israel toward the Chinese government, given its conduct and reactions to the “Swords of Iron” war, one must be careful not to harm the future interests of the State of Israel. China is the second largest economy in the world, and Chinese companies have leading capabilities in certain fields, including in constructing infrastructure. The State of Israel cannot afford to sever its ties with China, but it should direct its ties to areas that are not sensitive to its national security.
The Tender Committee of the Israel Ports Company last week disqualified the Chinese company China Harbor Engineering Company from competing for a tender to establish a distillery port in Haifa Bay. The reason for the disqualification, as published, is due to Israel’s “national security” interests.
China Harbor’s parent company, China Communications Construction Company, is on the US “blacklist” for engaging in projects that help China expand its foothold in the South China Sea. However, China Harbor is known in Israel mainly through its subsidiary, Pan Mediterranean Engineering Company (PMEC), which built the South Port and expanded Pier 21 in Ashdod. PMEC also holds about 34% of the shares in the Alon Tavor power plant.
China Harbor’s disqualification from participating in the tender followed a series of articles in the Israeli media that criticized the involvement of Chinese companies in Israel’s infrastructure, particularly in Haifa’s Gulf Port, which is operated by the Shanghai International Ports Group. It must be understood that there is no connection between these articles, presumably motivated by the economic interests of competitors, and the disqualification of China Harbor. The decision of the security officials to disqualify the company due to the sensitivity of the facility or its location was prudent. A similar stance should also be taken toward companies from other foreign countries.
In general, despite the great anger in Israel toward the Chinese government, given its conduct and reactions to the “Swords of Iron” war, one must be careful not to harm the future interests of the State of Israel. China is the second largest economy in the world, and Chinese companies have leading capabilities in certain fields, including in constructing infrastructure. The State of Israel cannot afford to sever its ties with China, but it should direct its ties to areas that are not sensitive to its national security.