US Senate Democratic Leader Expresses Disappointment Over Hamas Attack Statement to China

"Not Showing Support for Israel... Urging Condemnation of Attacks"

Chuck Schumer, the U.S. Senate Democratic Majority Leader, currently visiting China, expressed dissatisfaction that China did not support the Palestinian armed group Hamas's attack on Israel.

Chuck Schumer, U.S. Senate Democratic Majority Leader (second from the left in the photo), and Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister of China (third from the left) [Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

According to Bloomberg and The Washington Post (WP) on the 9th, Schumer met with Wang Yi, member of the Chinese Communist Party Central Political Bureau and Foreign Minister, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, the capital of China, and said, "Honestly, I am disappointed by the Chinese Foreign Ministry's statement that showed no sympathy or support for Israel during such a difficult time."

Schumer's criticism was directed at the Chinese Foreign Ministry's statement issued the previous day, which emphasized restraint from both sides instead of condemning Hamas's attack.

In a statement issued under the name of the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, China expressed "deep concern over the escalation of tensions and violence on both sides," and "appealed to the relevant parties to remain calm and exercise restraint, immediately cease fire, protect civilians, and prevent the situation from worsening."

In response, Schumer emphasized, "I urge you and the Chinese people to stand with the Israeli people in condemning this cowardly and vicious attack."

In a separate statement on the same day, Schumer announced that at least four Americans had died as a result of Hamas's attack on Israel, based on reports from U.S. security and diplomatic authorities. He added that the relevant authorities have ensured that Israel is provided with everything it needs and that the Biden administration is closely monitoring Iran and others to prevent the situation from escalating.

Along with Schumer, U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (Republican), Bill Cassidy (Republican), Maggie Hassan (Democrat), John Kennedy (Republican), and Jon Ossoff (Democrat) arrived in Shanghai, China, on the 7th to begin their visit to China.

During his meeting with Foreign Minister Wang, Schumer emphasized that the core of this visit to China is to guarantee "economic reciprocity." He added, "The United States does not want decoupling. We want Chinese people to have economic opportunities. That is also beneficial to the United States," but also said, "However, China must provide a level playing field for American companies and American workers."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.