US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer told Chinese President Xi Jinping in a rare meeting on Monday that he was “deeply disappointed” by China’s failure to strongly condemn recent Hamas attacks on Israel and show sympathy for its country and people.
Schumer led a delegation of six senators to China this week.
The delegation, which includes three Democrats and three Republicans, is the first visit by US lawmakers since 2019 and comes at a time of mounting attacks on China in Congress as America grapples with Beijing’s rise as a global power.
“I urge you and the people of China to stand with the people of Israel and condemn this cowardly and brutal attack,” Schumer said.
A Chinese Foreign Ministry statement on Sunday called on both sides to exercise restraint and immediately end hostilities – but made no mention of Hamas’s unprecedented surprise attack early Saturday that has left more than 1,100 dead in the fighting so far and thousands injured in both parties.
US Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, left, is greeted by Chinese President Xi Jinping before their bilateral meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Oct. 9. 2023. AP
On Monday, Israeli forces were still fighting militants to secure the border with Gaza.
In the ministry’s statement, China also said that creating an independent Palestinian state is the basic way to resolve the issue.
“Recurring conflicts once again show that the protracted peace process cannot continue,” the statement said, adding that the international community needs to act more urgently and facilitate the resumption of peace talks.
US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, DN.Y., third from left, speaks during a bilateral meeting with Zhao Leji, chairman of the Chinese National People’s Congress, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, on Oct. 9. 2023. AP
Schumer met earlier with the head of China’s rubber-stamp parliament and the country’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, to whom he delivered similar statements about the recent violence.
Wang did not answer before the reporter was escorted out of the room.
Both governments are trying to arrange a meeting between President Biden and Xi Jinping during a regional summit in San Francisco next month in an effort to manage the increasingly strained relationship.
US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, DN.Y., left, is greeted by Chinese President Xi Jinping before their bilateral meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, on Oct. 9. 2023.AP
China has traditionally supported the Palestinian cause but has also increased ties with Israel as it seeks a greater role in trade, technology and diplomacy.
In recent years, it has increased its involvement in the Middle East, helping to restore relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran and welcoming Syrian President Bashar Assad on a visit to China.
“I am very disappointed to be frank with the State Department’s statement that it shows no sympathy or support for Israel during these troubled times,” Schumer said at the end of his statement to Xi.
Visiting US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, DN.Y. spoke during a bilateral meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Diaoyutai Guest House in Beijing, on Oct. 9. 2023.AP
He said that the main priority for the Senate delegation is to find fair trade between the two countries.
“We want the Chinese to have economic opportunities. That’s good for America,” he said. “But 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 justice now.”
Wang urged the United States to respect China’s core interests and development rights.
The Chinese government sees American restrictions on trade and technology exports to China as an attempt to hold back the country’s economic growth.
Schumer also raised the issue of a Chinese company the US says supplies chemicals for the production of fentanyl, ensuring China does not support what he called Russia’s “immoral war” against Ukraine, advancing human rights and freeing detained Americans.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
