China sternly condemns the suicidal bombing attacks in Tel Aviv, and is highly concerned about the safety of Chinese nationals in Israel, said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue in Beijing on Monday.
Two suicide bombers blew themselves up successively in an area near Tel Aviv's former central bus station Sunday. More than 20 people were reportedly killed and over 70 others injured, including several Chinese contract workers.
She said the Chinese side sternly condemned the suicidal bombings and continued to oppose the "eye for an eye" response to violent attacks.
China appeals to Israel to exercise the utmost restraint to avoid escalating the violence, the spokeswoman added.
The Chinese government is highly concerned about the personal safety of Chinese citizens in Israel, Zhang said. The Chinese embassy in Israel is working hard to handle matters relating to those Chinese contract workers killed and injured during the incident.
(Xinhua News Agency January 6, 2003)