US Senate leader urges China to support Israel after Hamas attack

After deadly Hamas strikes, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer urged Chinese President Xi Jinping to support Israel. He said that he was “disappointed” that Beijing had shown “no sympathy” for Israel over the weekend.

On Saturday, Hamas fighters assaulted Israeli cities, killing 700 Israelis and kidnapping hundreds more. This was the worst attack on Israeli land since Egypt and Syria struck during the Yom Kippur War fifty years ago. In retaliation, Israel bombarded Gaza, killing hundreds of Palestinians.

In response, China’s foreign ministry urged the “relevant parties” to maintain peace and put an end to hostilities to safeguard civilians in a statement over the weekend. It also stated that “the fundamental way out of the conflict lies in implementing the two-state solution and establishing an independent Palestinian state”.

On a rare journey to Asia, Schumer is leading a bipartisan congressional delegation that also stops in South Korea and Japan. It strives to further the nation’s economic and security objectives.

“The ongoing events in Israel over the last few days are nothing short of horrific. I urge you and the Chinese people to stand with the Israeli people and condemn the cowardly and vicious attacks,” Schumer told Xi during their meeting in Beijing.

“I say this with respect, but I was disappointed by the foreign minister’s statement that showed no sympathy or support for the Israeli people during these troubled times,” he added.

Asked about Schumer’s remarks, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular briefing on Monday that China was “highly concerned” about the escalation.

“We are very saddened by the civilian casualties caused by the conflict, and also oppose and condemn such acts against civilians,” she added.

In order to prevent further casualties, Mao declared that China was calling for a cease-fire. He also advised Chinese tourists to the region to be aware of the local security situation and to stay indoors.

Schumer and Democratic committee leaders announced in May that they would draught legislation to restrict the flow of technology to China, prevent it from starting a conflict with Taiwan, and tighten regulations to prevent American capital from going to Chinese companies. This follows the passage of a broad bill last year to increase competition with China in semiconductors and other technologies.

Schumer reaffirmed on Monday that the main goals of the trip were to seek economic reciprocity and to level the playing field for American businesses in China. He also reassured that Washington was not looking for a trade war.

“China must also provide a level playing field for American companies and workers. Many Americans, most Americans, including our delegation, do not believe we have that fairness now,” Schumer told Wang during their Beijing meeting.

Xi advised Schumer that their two nations ought to respect and work together. The relationship between China and the United States is the most significant bilateral relationship in the world, he continued, and he said he wanted to hear what the other side had to say.

Six senators, including Republican Mike Crapo, will meet with executives from American businesses doing business in the region as well as government and business leaders in the three nations they are visiting.

Republicans Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy, as well as Democrats Maggie Hassan and Jon Ossoff, are among the other senators travelling. On Saturday, the group arrived in Shanghai, where it spent the weekend holding meetings with the business sector.

The visit follows those of other high-ranking Biden administration representatives, including Gina Raimondo, the secretary of commerce, in August.

Relations that have been strained for years over problems like Taiwan, the origins of COVID-19, and allegations of Chinese espionage are beginning to improve as a result of increasing communication between U.S. and Chinese officials in recent months.

Raimondo stated in August that American businesses have complained to her that China has become “uninvestable,” citing fines, raids, and other steps that make it difficult to conduct business there. Raimondo’s remarks echo those made by Schumer at the time.

(With agency inputs)