Chinese Ambassador to Israel Du Wei was found dead in his apartment in Herzliya on Sunday morning. Police are investigating the case.
Du Wei, 58, was appointed in February, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. Previously he served as China’s envoy to Ukraine.
Wei is survived by a wife and son, both of whom are currently in China.
On Friday Wei posted a message on the Chinese Embassy’s website, rejecting claims by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo of a coronavirus cover-up.
The Chinese Embassy said Mike Pompeo has over the years been labeling Chinese investments, products, and people as security risks without producing any evidence to support his claims.
“We trust that our Jewish friends are not only able to defeat the coronavirus but also the ‘political virus,’ and choose the course of action that best serves its interests,” said the statement.
