Visiting U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer speaks during a bilateral meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Diaoyutai Guest House in Beijing, China, on October 9.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer frowned at China’s response to the attacks on Israel to Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting in Beijing on Monday.
“I say this with respect but I’m disappointed by the foreign ministry’s statement showing no sympathy or support for the Israeli people during these tragic times,” Schumer said, echoing criticism he had made earlier while meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
In a statement on Sunday, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on “relevant parties to remain calm, exercise restraint and immediately end the hostilities.”
When asked to about Schumer’s criticism on Monday, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning responded with a revised statement calling for a ceasefire and expressing sadness for the loss of civilian lives.
“China is deeply concerned over the current escalation of tensions and violence between Palestine and Israel. We are very saddened by the civilian casualties caused by the conflict, and we oppose and condemn such acts that harm civilians,” she said.
Schumer, a Democrat from New York, is in China leading a bipartisan delegation of senators.
