BEIJING, Oct 9 (Portal) – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Monday called on Chinese President Xi Jinping to support Israel after deadly Hamas attacks, adding he was “disappointed” that that Beijing showed “no sympathy” for the country over the weekend.
Fighters from the Islamist group Hamas killed 700 Israelis and kidnapped dozens more as they attacked Israeli cities on Saturday. This was the deadliest attack on Israeli territory since the attacks by Egypt and Syria in the Yom Kippur War 50 years ago. Israel responded with attacks on Gaza, killing hundreds of Palestinians.
In response, China’s foreign ministry called on “relevant parties” to maintain calm and end hostilities to protect civilians in a statement over the weekend, adding that “the fundamental way out of the conflict lies in the implementation of the two- States solution and the establishment of an independent state lies.” of Palestine”.
Schumer is leading a rare bipartisan congressional delegation on a trip to Asia that also includes stops in South Korea and Japan. The aim is to advance US economic and national security interests.
“The ongoing events in Israel in recent days are nothing short of horrific. “I call on you and the Chinese people to stand with the people of Israel 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, which showed no sympathy or support for the Israeli people in these difficult times,” he added.
Asked about Schumer’s comments, State Department spokesman Mao Ning said at a regular briefing on Monday that China was “very concerned” about the escalation. “We are deeply saddened by the civilian casualties caused by the conflict and reject and condemn such actions against civilians,” she added.
Mao said China was calling for a ceasefire to prevent further deaths and urged Chinese citizens traveling to the region to pay attention to the local security situation and avoid leaving the country.
Level playing field
[1/6]Visiting U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, DN.Y., is greeted by Chinese President Xi Jinping before their bilateral meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Monday, Oct. 9, 2023. Andy Wong/Pool via Portal Acquire licensing rights
After Schumer and Democratic committee chairmen passed a sweeping bill last year to promote competition with China in semiconductors and other technologies, they said in May they would write legislation to limit the flow of technology to China, preventing the country from having one spark conflict with Taiwan and tighten rules to prevent US capital from flowing to Chinese companies.
On Monday, Schumer reiterated that the main goal of the trip was to seek economic reciprocity and create a level playing field for US companies in China, assuring that Washington does not seek conflict with Beijing.
“China must also level the playing field for American companies and workers. Many Americans, most Americans, including our delegation, don’t believe we have that fairness now,” Schumer told Wang during their meeting in Beijing.
Xi told Schumer that their two countries should respect each other and work together. He added that China-US relations are the most important bilateral relations in the world and that he wants to listen to each other’s opinions.
The group of six senators, co-led by Republican Mike Crapo, will meet government and business leaders in the three countries they are visiting, as well as representatives of U.S. companies operating in the region.
Other senators on the trip include Republicans Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy and Democrats Maggie Hassan and Jon Ossoff. The group landed in Shanghai on Saturday, where it held meetings with the business community over the weekend.
The trip comes after visits by a number of senior Biden administration officials, including Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo in August.
Communication between U.S. and Chinese officials has increased in recent months, bringing some improvement in years-tense relations over issues such as Taiwan, the origins of COVID-19 and allegations of Chinese espionage.
Schumer’s comments echo those made by Raimondo in August, when she said U.S. companies had complained to her that China had become “uninvestable,” citing fines, raids and other measures that made it risky to do business there close.
Reporting by Antoni Slodkowski and Liz Lee; Writing by Bernard Orr; Editing by Kim Coghill and Gerry Doyle and Miral Fahmy
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