BEIJING: China on Wednesday said it denounced the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in an attack in Tehran, warning it could lead to further regional instability.
In a statement, foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said, “We are deeply concerned regarding the incident and strongly oppose and denounce the assassination”. The spokesman said that they are highly concerned that this incident may lead to further instability in the region.
He added that Beijing has always advocated resolving regional issues through dialogue and negotiation. “Gaza must achieve a comprehensive and permanent truce as soon as possible to avoid further escalation of confrontation,” Lin stated.
Earlier, Hamas stated Wednesday that Hamas political leader had been assassinated in an Israeli attack in Tehran, where he was taking part in the inauguration of the nation’s new president, and pledged the act “will not go unanswered”.
China has been sympathetic to the Palestinian cause and supportive of a two-state solution to the Palestinian- Israeli conflict.
This month, Beijing hosted Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah in China, where they inked an agreement to form a “national unity government” in post-war Gaza.
