China ‘opposes and condemns actions that harm civilians’ in Israel-Hamas violence

China says it “opposes and condemns” violence against civilians both in Israel and in the Palestinian territories.

“China is highly concerned about the recent escalation of conflict between Palestine and Israel,” foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning says, adding that Beijing “is deeply saddened by the civilian casualties caused by the conflict, and opposes and condemns actions that harm civilians.”

The statement comes after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer told China’s foreign minister that he was very disappointed by Beijing’s previous statement on the recent Hamas attack because it didn’t show any sympathy or support for Israel.

“I urge you and the Chinese people to stand with the Israeli people and condemn these cowardly and vicious attacks,” Schumer, who is leading a delegation of six senators to China, tells Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Wang, who spoke before Schumer in their opening remarks, does not respond before journalists are escorted out of the room.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry statement yesterday called on both sides to exercise restraint and immediately end the hostilities. It said that establishing an independent state of Palestine is the fundamental way to resolve the issue.