Frustration Grows Among Chinese Nationals in Israel Over China’s Lack of Evacuation Efforts

Smoke rises from buildings, viewed from the Israeli side of the border, as the Israeli military conducts a bombardment in northern Gaza on Oct. 15, 2023. Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images

Amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, Chinese nationals residing in Israel have not received evacuation notices from the Chinese Embassy, leading many to rely on the Israeli government for their safety rather than on Beijing. This information was shared by a Chinese citizen working in Israel during a recent interview with The Epoch Times.

Liu Wei, who chose to use a pseudonym out of concern for potential repercussions, has made Beersheba, the largest city in the Negev desert of southern Israel, his home for six years. Mr. Liu told the publication on Oct. 18 that many Chinese in Israel will lose faith in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) due to its lack of assistance to its people.

No Evacuation Plan

“I have never received any communication from the Chinese Embassy. As far as I know, none of the Chinese residents here have received evacuation notices from the embassy. There has been no information provided regarding evacuation procedures,” he explained, adding that he had only heard about a local Chinese company that recently chartered a plane to return to China.

He learned from the news that Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. strongly criticized Hamas for the death of a Filipina nurse and appealed to the Israeli prime minister to take action against Hamas. Furthermore, he visited the nurse’s family in the Philippines to offer condolences.

“That’s a president who takes his people very seriously,” Mr. Liu said, referring to Mr. Marcos.

On the other hand, he said, “Look at China’s response. Four Chinese people have died, and so far, the Chinese authorities have not condemned Hamas, nor have they condemned terrorism or the killing of civilians. Many Chinese people should be very disappointed with this government, which is not responsible for its own people. It’s as if, in the face of such tragedies, ordinary Chinese citizens’ lives don’t matter, with no news coverage or condolences offered, as if nothing had occurred.”

China’s foreign ministry confirmed on Oct. 16 that four Chinese nationals were killed in the Israel-Hamas conflict, with two individuals still missing and six others injured. The ministry also said that commercial flights between China and Israel are still in operation.

Mr. Liu said that recent Chinese arrivals in Israel are very worried and exploring various options to return to China. In local Chinese social media groups, some people complained that they tried to call the Chinese Embassy but could never get through.

“Chinese people who just came from China still think they have ‘a strong motherland’ behind them. I couldn’t help but think that they might end up feeling let down. Many people place their hopes on the Chinese Embassy, but in reality, I believe the odds of successfully reaching them via phone are quite slim,” Mr. Liu said.

The concept of “a strong motherland” stems from the ultra-nationalist propaganda promoted by the CCP in recent years, which has been disseminated through movies and classroom indoctrination.

Unlike newcomers, Mr. Liu pointed out that Chinese immigrants residing in Israel for some time do not feel afraid.

“This is because in 2021, 3,000 rockets attacked Israel, and we were alright that day. People who have been here for more than two years trust the Israeli government, and many choose to stay because they believe Israel can handle this matter well,” he explained.

In 2021, Israel’s military reported that the Iron Dome had a 90 percent success rate when it intercepted 3,000 missiles fired from the Gaza Strip by Hamas.

Chinese People Criticize CCP

Since Hamas terrorists raided Israel on Oct. 7, dozens of countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Australia, the United States, and Canada, have arranged evacuation flights to help their citizens leave Israel.

However, Beijing has not yet dispatched any special planes to assist in evacuating Chinese citizens.

Mao Ning, spokesperson of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated at a regular press conference on Oct. 16: “Currently, commercial flights between China and Israel are still operating, and Chinese nationals there are advised to return to their home country as soon as possible on commercial flights.”

While the Chinese Embassy in Israel has not issued any evacuation-related updates, it has issued a safety advisory to Chinese citizens on Oct. 13, telling them to remain vigilant about their security.

However, many Chinese feel that Beijing is not doing enough to help them.

Several screenshots circulating online reveal a WeChat group where Chinese students in Israel repeatedly sought information from the embassy about evacuation plans. However, embassy staff cautioned them against sharing “unrelated content and rumors” within the group.

One student posted: “It was only after I came abroad that I realized that ‘Wolf Warrior’ was the biggest lie of all times.”

“Wolf Warrior” is a Chinese blockbuster film that conveys a strong nationalist sentiment, advocating national pride by asserting that the CCP would do whatever it takes to save its citizens caught up in overseas wars.

In a post, a netizen criticized the CCP leadership: “The evacuation you imagined was a scene where a Chinese hero drives a warship to take you back to your country. But in reality, the evacuation requires you to buy a commercial flight ticket on your own to return to your home country.”

CCP Prioritizes Its Political Agenda

In an interview with The Epoch Times on Oct. 18, Li Yuanhua, a former professor at Capital Normal University in Beijing, said that due to the authoritarian nature of the CCP, it does not take people’s lives seriously, and all its decisions are based on political needs.

Mr. Li explained that the Chinese Embassy lacks the authority to independently carry out evacuations of overseas Chinese. This process involves reporting to higher authorities, such as the State Council, and requires a well-coordinated effort. However, officials at various levels within the CCP hesitate to expedite the process and tend to await instructions from the highest authorities, resulting in frequent delays.

“The key issue lies in the fact that the CCP does not take the lives and deaths of Chinese people seriously, as seen from the Sichuan earthquake in 2008. It simply didn’t care how many people had died in the earthquake. News of casualties and deaths is usually in the headlines in other countries. But in China, the CCP ignores and covers it up, so people don’t see this kind of news at all,” he said.

He pointed out that the CCP’s decision to undertake rescue measures depends mainly on whether the effort will affect its image. If its inaction attracts widespread attention and negative comments from the international media, then the CCP will take notice.

“And when it does take action, it will launch a publicity campaign framed as ‘China is such an awesome nation!’ This is basically the CCP’s routine,” he said.