JERUSALEM: China’s ambassador to Israel was found dead at his residence in a Tel Aviv suburb on Sunday.
According to a spokesman for Israeli police, a 58-year-old Du Wei was found dead at his residence in a Tel Aviv on Sunday Morning. He did not comment on the cause of the death of ambassador Du Wei.
“As part of the regular procedure, police units are at the scene,” the spokesman said. Israel’s Channel 12 TV, quoting unidentified emergency medical officials, said initial indications were that Du died in his sleep of natural causes.
According to the embassy’s website, Du Wei had recently transferred to Israel from the Ukraine, where he was appointed as ambassador from 2016-2019. The ambassador is survived by a wife and son who are currently not in the country.
The news of his death comes after the embassy on Friday had responded to statements by the United States reportedly asking Israel to distance itself from China.
On May 15, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of increased Chinese investments in the country during an official visit to Israel.
The ambassador had condemned comments by visiting U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who denounced Chinese investments in Israel and accused China of hiding information about the COVID-19 outbreak.
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