www.china.org.cn
November 22, 2002



Missing Chinese Worker in Suicide Bombing Found

The Chinese worker reported missing in Wednesday's suicide bombings in Tel Aviv has been found in a local hospital, the Chinese Embassy in Israel said.

Splinters hit Li Bin's head in the attack, and he remains unconscious, said Ni Jian, counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Tel Aviv. He visited the injured Chinese workers Friday.

Another Chinese worker was killed in the blast, and four other Chinese workers were injured and taken to the hospital.

Zheng Biao and Sun Meichang have already been released from the hospital. But Xu Xiangxing and his cousin Xu Xiangmin are still being treated at the hospital.

Chinese Embassy and Israeli officials are discussing pensions for relatives of the Chinese victims.

The pair of attacks occurred in a cafe near the city's old bus station that is frequented by foreign workers. At least seven people were killed in all -- two of them the suspected suicide bombers -- and at least 40 people were injured.

Wednesday is a traditional holiday in Israel. At 10 p.m., Xu Xiangxing went to the cafe with his cousin and his uncle Xu Hengyong. The explosion occurred just 10 minutes after they arrived, Xu Xiangxing said. He was injured in the back and had to have surgery.

He is one of the lucky ones.

Family members of 39-year-old Xu Hengyong, who died in the bombing, continue to mourn him at their home in Pingtan of East China's Fujian Province.

Xu's wife, Zheng Lianyu, said the entire family was dependent on him financially and emotionally. He went to Israel in October, leaving behind two sons and a daughter ranging in age from 4 to 12, in search of more lucrative work. A decision on whether to cremate his body or send his body home for burial has not yet been made.

China offers condolences to victims of Tel Aviv suicide bombing

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said Friday that the Chinese government has offered its condolences to the victims of suicide bombing in Tel Aviv and strongly condemns violence against civilians.

Kong said a devastating suicide bombing took place in Tel Aviv on July 17, causing large numbers of casualties including the death of one Chinese and injuries to five other Chinese. Staff at the Chinese embassy in Israel are paying close attention to the issue. They have visited the injured Chinese workers in hospital and are making enquiries about the incident.

China has made contact with appropriate departments in Israel, asking them to deal with the problems related to the dead and the injured. The embassy has also issued safety instructions to Chinese citizens and companies in Israel, he added.

Kong said the Chinese government has offered condolences to the families of Chinese citizens and other innocent civilians who died in the suicide bombing. China also expressed deep regret following a similar incident in April when one Chinese was killed and another injured in a Jerusalem bombing.

China has strongly condemned violence against innocent civilians and appealed to the Israeli and Palestinian sides to take concrete steps to cooperate with the international community in order to stop all violent confrontations.

(Edited from China Daily and Xinhua News Agency, July 20, 2002)

In This Series
FM Spokesman Condemns Mideast Suicide Bombings

China Condemns Suicide Bombing in Jerusalem

Two Bombing Victims Buried

Companies Asked to Suspend Sending Workers to Israel

References

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Chinese Foreign Ministry



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