Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Monday that Chinese-American relations will be crucial "for the future of humanity" during a visit by a US Senate delegation headed by Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to China as part of the diplomatic rapprochement between the two powers.

"The relationship between China and the United States is the most important in the world. The way China and the United States agree to face a turbulent world will determine the future and destiny of humanity," Xi said.

In the morning, Foreign Minister Wang Yi received the American delegation.

Wang Yi said in statements that he hopes this visit will help "improve the United States' understanding of China," and will also help the two sides "manage differences more rationally, so that the relationship between the two countries returns to the sound development path."

China and the United States, which conflict on many issues, have resumed dialogue in recent months with a series of visits by high-level American officials to Beijing, while a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his counterpart Joe Biden is not ruled out.

For his part, Schumer said, "We must manage our relations responsibly," stressing that the United States "does not seek conflict," but pointed out that "it is natural for two superpowers to find themselves in competition in areas such as trade, technology, diplomacy, and others."

Schumer stated that the "first goal" is to achieve "equal opportunities for American companies and workers."

Stressed relationships

He considered that there is a priority "to hold accountable the companies that are based in China and provide the deadly chemicals that are fueling the American fentanyl crisis," just as it is to "ensure that China does not support the war that Russia is waging in Ukraine."

He continued, "Promoting human rights is also a priority."

Regarding holding a meeting between the Chinese and American presidents, Joe Biden said on Friday that it is “possible” that he will meet Xi Jinping during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit scheduled for mid-November in San Francisco.

He explained to the media that such a meeting had not been organized, "but it is a possibility."

Despite this, bilateral relations remain tense, especially against the backdrop of trade disputes, Chinese expansion in the South China Sea, and the Taiwan issue.

"A huge disappointment"

Chuck Schumer on Monday criticized China's position on the escalating violence between Israel and the Palestinians, saying he was "very disappointed" by the Chinese Foreign Ministry's statement on Sunday.

He added, "The Foreign Ministry's statement...did not show any sympathy or support for Israel during these difficult and turbulent times."

On Sunday, Beijing called on all parties to "calm" and "immediate ceasefire," but did not explicitly condemn the Palestinian attacks that left hundreds dead in Israel, and instead called for the establishment of a two-state solution to end the violence.

But a short time later, the Chinese Foreign Ministry condemned the targeting of civilians in the recent escalation between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said, “China expresses its deep concern over the continuing escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” noting that Beijing “regrets the civilian casualties caused by the conflict,” and it “rejects and condemns activities targeting civilians.”

"The world today is going through a period of turmoil and changes... The crisis in Ukraine has not yet been resolved, and war has returned to the Middle East," Wang Yi said on Monday. He also mentioned the earthquake that struck Afghanistan, which left more than two thousand dead, according to the latest toll published on Sunday.

He added, "The international community must deal with all these challenges, and China and the United States must play their roles appropriately."

The Chinese Foreign Ministry, which earlier this year facilitated the rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia, regularly says it wants to make its contribution to the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.