Chinese Ambassador to Israel Du Wei was found dead in his official residence on Sunday, Israel’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement to multiple news outlets.

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The 57-year-old’s death at his home in Herzilya, Israel, is not being treated as suspicious, a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman told CNN, and police are outside his home as a matter of procedure. 

Du had taken on his post in February and most recently offered a public rebuke of Secretary of State Mike PompeoMichael (Mike) Richard PompeoChina emerges as potential strain on US-Israel relationship Pompeo warns China over alleged interference in US reporting in Hong Kong Afghan president, rival end stalemate MORE for criticizing Beijing during the secretary’s quick trip to Jerusalem last week. 

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In public remarks, Pompeo alluded to criticizing the Chinese government’s handling of the novel coronavirus pandemic and in media reports urged Israel to halt cooperation with China on infrastructure and communications systems. 

The Chinese embassy responded by publishing opinion articles in English-language Israeli press calling Pompeo’s remarks and accusations “absurd” and said it hoped Israeli officials would defeat the “political virus.” 

The Chinese embassy in Israel and the Foreign Ministry in Beijing have yet to issue comment on the ambassador’s death.

Du had served in multiple roles within China’s Foreign Ministry over a three-decade long career. He leaves behind a wife and a son.