Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In his remarks at the opening of the Israeli government’s weekly cabinet meeting Sunday, Prime Minister Netanyahu addressed the issue of regional turmoil, asserting that  the security of Israel’s citizens topped his government’s agenda.

“The Government of Israel is working responsibly and with determination and sagacity, in order to ensure the supreme interest of the State of Israel – the security of Israeli citizens,” he said.

The Prime Minister specified that the transfer of advanced weapons to terror groups was of primary concern. He pledged to “prevent the transfer of advanced weapons to Hezbollah and to [other] terrorist elements.”

Netanyahu’s statements follow a surprise visit to the country by CIA chief John Brennan, whose visit was reported to have been prompted by U.S. concern over alleged Israeli activity in Syria aimed at preventing the flow of weapons from Syria to terror group Hezbollah.

Netanyahu also unveiled two economic initiatives at the cabinet meeting. He announced plans “to issue a tender for an additional, new port in the State of Israel,” and following his recent trip to China, unveiled a strategy to enhance bilateral economic co-operation with the emerging superpower.

“Regarding China,” he said, “I agreed with Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang that we would establish two committees, a Chinese committee and an Israeli ministerial committee, in order to reduce the bureaucracy for Israeli companies competing in China and in order to submit various projects by Israeli experts and Israeli companies throughout China, and most likely outside China, in third countries.”

Netanyahu has said recently that he expects Chinese-Israeli annual trade to reach $10 billion.