U.S. Senate Majority Leader Schumer Urges Chinese President to Support Israel Amid Hamas Attacks

Introduction:

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, currently leading a rare bipartisan congressional delegation on a trip to Asia, called upon Chinese President Xi Jinping to show support for Israel following deadly attacks by Hamas. Schumer expressed his disappointment over China’s weekend statement, which did not convey sympathy or support for Israel during the ongoing crisis.

Escalation of Violence:

Over the weekend, fighters from the Islamist group Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israeli towns, resulting in the killing of 700 Israelis and the abduction of dozens more. This incursion marked the deadliest assault on Israeli territory since the Yom Kippur War 50 years ago. In response, Israel launched airstrikes on Gaza, resulting in hundreds of Palestinian casualties.

China’s Response and Schumer’s Appeal:

China’s foreign ministry issued a statement urging “relevant parties” to maintain calm and cease hostilities to protect civilians. It emphasized the importance of implementing the two-state solution and establishing an independent State of Palestine as a fundamental solution to the conflict.

Schumer, during his meeting with President Xi in Beijing, appealed for China’s support for Israel during these troubled times. He expressed his disappointment with the Chinese foreign minister’s statement, which lacked sympathy for Israel.

China’s Concern and Call for Ceasefire:

In response to Schumer’s remarks, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that China was “highly concerned” about the escalating violence and expressed sadness over civilian casualties. China condemned acts targeting civilians and called for an immediate ceasefire to prevent further loss of life. Chinese citizens travelling to the affected area were advised to pay attention to local security conditions and avoid unnecessary risks.

Bipartisan Delegation’s Focus on Economic Reciprocity:

Schumer emphasized that the primary objective of the congressional delegation’s trip to Asia was to seek economic reciprocity and create a level playing field for U.S. businesses in China. He reiterated that the United States was not seeking conflict with China.

Xi’s Response and Importance of Bilateral Relations:

President Xi responded by emphasizing the importance of respecting and collaborating. He described the relationship between China and the United States as the most crucial bilateral relations globally and expressed a willingness to listen to the opinions of the U.S. delegation.

Delegation’s Itinerary:

The bipartisan delegation, co-led by Republican Mike Crapo, plans to meet with government and business leaders in South Korea, Japan, and China. Meetings with officials from U.S. companies operating in the region are also on the agenda. The delegation has been engaged in discussions with the business community during their visit, which included meetings in Shanghai.

Context and Recent Tensions:

Schumer’s visit comes in the wake of increased communication between U.S. and Chinese officials, aiming to address longstanding tensions related to issues such as Taiwan, the origins of COVID-19, and allegations of Chinese espionage. Schumer’s comments echo those made by Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo in August, who noted that U.S. companies had raised concerns about the challenging business environment in China.