China opposes US decision to recognise Israel's sovereignty over Golan Heights

A day after the US recognised Israel's sovereignty over the disputed Golan Heights, several countries including China have condemned the decision.

CTGN quoted Chinese Foreign Ministry's spokesperson Lu Kang as saying "China opposes changing the status quo of Golan Heights through unilateral behaviour," calling for the avoidance of escalating regional tensions.

Lu on Tuesday said: "The international community recognises Golan Heights as occupied." He further said that the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has passed several resolutions urging Israel to withdraw from Golan Heights.

The US got global condemnation after US President Donald Trump signed an official decree in the presence of Israel's President Benjamin Netanyahu, to recognise Israel's sovereignty on the Golan Heights on Monday in Washington DC.

Israel had formally annexed the territory in 1981 after capturing the region from Syria during the six-day war in 1967. The Israeli annexation has long been decried by the world community which regards Golan Heights as an occupied territory and Israeli settlements in the region are illegal as per international law.