China President Xi Jinping Releases Rare Message On Israel-Hamas War

In a rare message, Chinese President Xi Jinping released a statement condemning the recent attacks in Israel by Hamas.

A spokesperson on behalf of Jinping condemned “all violence and attacks on civilians”.

The statement continued “The most urgent task now is to reach a ceasefire and restore peace.”

China statement comes after Senator Chuck Schumer called for China to strengthen their statement regarding the violence in Israel.

Watch here:

I raised with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Foreign Minister Wang Yi the Hamas atrocities against Israel and the need for the world to stand together against terrorism and with the Israeli people.

I pointedly asked that they strengthen their statement. They did. pic.twitter.com/TcHHj6FPID

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) October 9, 2023

In an unusual move, Chinese President Xi Jinping strengthened China’s statement condemning the attacks in Israel and the Gaza Strip after coming under pressure from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) https://t.co/dw6LCJItCK pic.twitter.com/bZJZVq9kvO

— The Hill (@thehill) October 9, 2023

Per The Washington Times:

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer told Chinese President Xi Jinping in a rare meeting Monday that he was “very disappointed” by China’s failure to strongly condemn the recent Hamas attack on Israel and show sympathy for the country and its people.
Schumer is leading a delegation of six senators to China this week.

The delegation, which includes three Democrats and three Republicans, is the first visit by U.S. lawmakers since 2019 and comes at a time of growing attacks on China in Congress as America contends with Beijing’s rise as a global power.

“I urge you and the Chinese people to stand with the Israeli people and condemn these cowardly and vicious attacks,” said Schumer.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry statement on Sunday called on both sides to exercise restraint and immediately end the hostilities – but made no mention of the unprecedented Hamas surprise attack early Saturday that has left more than 1,100 dead in fighting so far and thousands wounded on both sides. On Monday, Israeli soldiers were still fighting the militants to secure the border with Gaza.

In the ministry statement, China also said that establishing an independent state of Palestine is the fundamental way to resolve the issue.

China's Xi Jinping told Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer that he has every reason to pursue stable relations with the U.S. https://t.co/Tmv31FvIMF

— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) October 9, 2023

Here’s what The Hill shared:

In an unusual move, Chinese President Xi Jinping strengthened China’s statement condemning the attacks in Israel and the Gaza Strip after coming under pressure from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Monday.

China, in an updated statement through a foreign ministry spokesperson, condemned “all violence and attacks on civilians” and said “the most urgent task now is to reach a ceasefire and restore peace.”condemned “all violence and attacks on civilians” and said “the most urgent task now is to reach a ceasefire and restore peace.”

The stronger statement after Schumer expressed his disappointment with an earlier statement from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs that merely called for restraint.
“I raised with President Xi the unfolding atrocities carried out against Israel and the need for the world community to stand together against terrorism and with the Israeli people, and pointedly requested from President Xi that the Chinese Foreign Minister strengthen their statement; they did,” Schumer said in a Monday statement.
China’s foreign ministry on Sunday said: “We call on relevant parties to remain calm, exercise restraint and immediately end the hostilities to protect civilians and avoid further deterioration of the situation.”

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer told Chinese President Xi Jinping in a rare meeting Monday that he was "very disappointed" by China's failure to strongly condemn the recent Hamas attack on Israel and show sympathy for the country and its… https://t.co/euE6wGWkUI

— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) October 9, 2023