China to evacuate citizens from Israel via Egypt border amid escalating Mideast conflict
Baku, June 19, AZERTAC
China’s embassy in Israel said it will begin evacuating nationals via the Egyptian border from Friday, after hundreds had already left the country, while about 1,600 others had left Iran over the last few days, according to South China Morning Post.
In a statement on Thursday, the embassy said it was seeking to register Chinese citizens who wished to evacuate in organised groups, which would leave Israel by bus via the Taba border crossing, about 360km (224 miles) from Tel Aviv.
Evacuees must hold a valid Chinese passport or valid Chinese national identification card, travel documents from Hong Kong or Macau, or a mainland-issued travel permit for Taiwan residents.
The notice was issued after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke by phone on Wednesday with his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty.
Israel and Iran have entered a seventh day of an air war, with missiles hitting not only strategic targets but also residential areas since Israel launched what it called a “pre-emptive strike” on Iran last Friday.
Foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Thursday that around 1,600 Chinese nationals have been safely evacuated from Iran, along with several hundred from Israel, under arrangements between the ministry, China’s embassies and consulates, and neighbouring countries.
“The ministry and relevant diplomatic missions will continue to make every effort to assist Chinese citizens in their safe transfer and evacuation,” Guo said.
Many Chinese nationals had evacuated from Iran via land routes into neighbouring countries, including Armenia, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan.
China’s embassy in Iran on Thursday issued a notice advising nationals leaving the country to avoid the Bajgiran border crossing with Turkmenistan and the Astara crossing with Azerbaijan, which had seen significant delays “due to large crowds and low processing efficiency”.
“As the Iran-Israel conflict continues and the security situation in Iran further deteriorates, the Chinese embassy in Iran reiterates its call for Chinese nationals in the country to leave via land border crossings as soon as possible,” it said.
During the phone call, Wang told Abdelatty: “Israel’s disregard for international law and norms has abruptly escalated tensions in the Middle East and China is deeply concerned that the situation could spiral out of control”.
China again called for a ceasefire by all parties, particularly Israel, to de-escalate the situation, Wang said.
On Tuesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for a de-escalation of the conflict and said Beijing was opposed to any act that infringed on other countries’ sovereignty.
Egypt has led a group of 21 Arab and Islamic nations in issuing a joint statement that condemned recent Israeli air strikes against Iran and called for regional de-escalation.
China has welcomed the statement and pledged to play a constructive role in easing tensions.
“China stands ready to work with Egypt to enhance communication and coordination at multilateral platforms such as the United Nations, making every effort to push peace talks and reconciliation,” Wang added.
Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 639 people – including civilians and security force personnel – and wounded 1,329 others, according to reports citing the Washington-based group Human Rights Activists.
On Monday, Iran’s health ministry said at least 224 people had been killed, mostly civilians, and 1,277 others wounded.
Meanwhile, Israeli authorities said on Monday that Iranian attacks had killed 24 people and injured more than 1,300.
There were no reports that any Chinese nationals had been killed or injured in the fighting, according to China’s foreign ministry.
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