BEIJING, May 7 (Xinhuanet) -- Following Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s visit, i Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Shanghai on Monday morning, to begin his five-day visit to China.

The first day of Netanyahu’s visit will be devoted to economic issues. During an interview prior to his visit, the prime minister said that China could be an engine for Israeli economic growth.

During his stay in Shanghai, Netanyahu will also visit the Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum.

For many European Jews during World War Two, Shanghai provided a safe haven. Former US Treasury Secretary and World War Two refugee, Michael Blumenthal can still recall the time his family fled to Shanghai.

W. Michael Blumenthal said, "We came to Shanghai only for one reason, because it was the only place in the world where we could go at that time. We had to leave very quickly, or we will die. Other countries did not want to let us in, but Shanghai was an open city."

During World War II, Shanghai accommodated about 30,000 Jewish refugees from the Nazi Holocaust. Most of them lived in the city’s northeastern Hongkou District. Even now, many still live in the area.

After his visit to Shanghai, Mr. Netanyahu will travel to Beijing to meet with the Chinese leaders.

(Source: CNTV.cn)