China Warns Citizens to Exercise Caution When Traveling to Lebanon

China’s embassy in Beirut has advised its citizens to exercise caution when traveling to Lebanon, citing heightened security risks amidst growing fears of regional conflict.

In a statement issued on Monday evening, Beijing time, the embassy described the situation in Lebanon as “grave and complex.” They urged Chinese nationals to closely monitor local developments and to be cautious if traveling to Lebanon in the near future.

The advisory comes as Israel’s conflict with Iran-backed Hamas in Gaza approaches its 11th month. The “Axis of Resistance,” aligned with Tehran, is expected to retaliate following the recent killings of two senior leaders.

Last week, Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, was killed in Tehran in an attack attributed to Israel, though Israel has not confirmed this. This incident occurred shortly after an Israeli strike in Beirut killed Fuad Shukr, the military chief of Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement.

Since then, Hezbollah and Israel have engaged in near-daily exchanges of fire.

In response, multiple countries have advised their citizens to leave Lebanon, where Hezbollah is headquartered. The Chinese embassy also recommended that its citizens stay extremely vigilant if they choose to travel to Lebanon, warning of the increased security risks they might face.