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U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Monday called on Chinese President Xi Jinping to support Israel, as the country fights against the surprise attack by Hamas on Saturday. He added that he was “disappointed” that Beijing showed “no sympathy” for the nation over the weekend.
Fighters from Islamist group Hamas killed at least 700 Israelis and abducted dozens more as they attacked Israeli town in the southern region. This has been the deadliest incursion into Israeli territory since its war with Egypt and Syria, which was 50 years ago. Israel responded by pounding Gaza, killings hundreds of Palestinians.
In response, China’s foreign ministry urged in a weekend statement that “relevant parties” to remain calm and to end hostilities for the sake of its civilians. The statement added that “the fundamental way out of this conflict” is the two-state solution, wherein establishing an independent state of Palestine.
Schumer is leading a rare bipartisan congressional delegation on a trip to Asia, which include stops at South Korea and Japan. The aim is to advance U.S. economic and national security interests.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular briefing on Monday that China has called for ceasefire to avoid more deaths and have urged the Chinese nationals in the region to pay attention to the local security norms and avoid going out.