Members of a Marine brass band play for their comrades as the frigate 'Bayern' of the German Marine leaves the port of Wilhelmshaven for a seven-month exercise trip between the Horn of Africa, Australia and Japan. AFP
Members of a Marine brass band play for their comrades as the frigate 'Bayern' of the German Marine leaves the port of Wilhelmshaven for a seven-month exercise trip between the Horn of Africa, Australia and Japan. AFP
Members of a Marine brass band play for their comrades as the frigate 'Bayern' of the German Marine leaves the port of Wilhelmshaven for a seven-month exercise trip between the Horn of Africa, Australia and Japan. AFP
Members of a Marine brass band play for their comrades as the frigate 'Bayern' of the German Marine leaves the port of Wilhelmshaven for a seven-month exercise trip between the Horn of Africa, Austral


German warships are in the South China Sea - should they be?


  • English
  • Arabic

August 11, 2021

After the last Nato summit in June, French President Emmanuel Macron had some sensible words about the future scope of the military alliance, whose 30 members are all in Europe apart from Canada and the US. “On China, I think I can say we shouldn’t confuse our goals,” Mr Macron said. “Nato is an organisation that concerns the North Atlantic. China has little to do with the North Atlantic.”

But so far this year France has sent a nuclear attack submarine and a support vessel to conduct a patrol in the South China Sea, whose resource and strategic-rich waters are hotly contested by China and several South-East Asian countries. The UK’s Carrier Strike Group led by HMS Queen Elizabeth recently traversed the same sea en route to Japan, and British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said his government would “permanently assign two ships in the region from later this year”. Now a German navy frigate is on its way, and is expected to cross the South China Sea in December – the first time a German warship has done so for nearly two decades.

What are they all doing there? Well, everyone, it seems, must now have their own “Indo-Pacific strategy”. France released its policy report on the region in 2019, Germany adopted its own guidelines in 2020, and the UK announced its “tilt” to the Indo-Pacific earlier this year. Except, there is no need for any of these countries to issue documents using the words “Indo-Pacific” – which has become, as they know, an increasingly loaded term since it was taken up by the previous US administration under Donald Trump.

It is no longer just an alternative or a geographically extended version of the words that were previously mostly used, the “Asia-Pacific”. It has become shorthand for the view that China must be actively contained, if not confronted, in its own near abroad, by a US-led grouping; and not just the three additional members of the “Quad” – Japan, Australia and India – but any western-inclined democracies who feel like joining in too.

It was during former US president Donald Trump's tenure that the term 'Indo-Pacific' became fashionable, while former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe is credited with the concept of Quad. Bloomberg
It was during former US president Donald Trump's tenure that the term 'Indo-Pacific' became fashionable, while former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe is credited with the concept of Quad. Bloomberg

Countries “from half a world away”, as the Chinese embassy in London described them, have every reason to formulate policies to increase their trade with a region that has become the world’s marketplace, and which they would be advised to call the “Asia-Pacific” instead. But what makes these middling European powers think that it is their right or responsibility to take an assertive stance in long-standing maritime disputes so far from home?

True, the UK has been a member of the Five Power Defence Arrangements, along with Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand, since 1971; but the low-profile FPDA is not offensive in purpose. France does have a number of overseas possessions in the Indian and Pacific oceans, but they are rather small, and a very long way from the South China Sea. And Germany – well, yes, the question as to what precisely Germany is doing there has vexed many. One Social Democrat MP said it reminded him of Kaiser Wilhelm II's desire that at the turn of the 20th century, Germany should also have its "own place in the sun" to satisfy its desire for overseas empire.

As far back as 2013, Foreign Policy magazine was reporting that the US was “encircling China with a chain of air bases and military ports”. Within a few years, there were more than 400. How would Washington react if Beijing had the wish, and the capability, to do the same? Some may argue that there can be no proper analogy. The US has treaty allies in the region, and many countries with claims on the South China Sea are quietly happy for America to speak loudly on their behalf and protest the sanctity of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea – whose tribunal ruled against China in 2016 – even though the US has never signed up to it.

The situation is different, however, for the UK, Germany and France, all countries with a history of colonialism in Asia that cannot be defended. Given their past and their geographical distance, they have no moral standing to get involved. It is presumptuous, patronising and smacks of neo-colonialism.

A parade to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the founding of Communist China in Beijing in 2019. European powers' renewed interest in Asia will not be lost on the powers that be in Beijing. AP Photo
A parade to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the founding of Communist China in Beijing in 2019. European powers' renewed interest in Asia will not be lost on the powers that be in Beijing. AP Photo
Given their past and their geographical distance, they have no moral standing to get involved

A collective brutal suppression and looting of the Indian subcontinent, mainland South-East Asia and part of what is now Papua New Guinea, is mostly within living memory. The former imperial powers should consider themselves fortunate that their emissaries are greeted today with such honours, and their merchants and expatriate workers with wide embraces. (On a personal note, one of my young sons could hardly believe it when I told him that the Kuala Lumpur club where he has his tennis lessons wouldn’t have even let his Malay grandparents in under British rule.)

It will also not be lost in Beijing, where memories run deep, that these European states are, as a German commentator put it, "the same predators that enslaved and robbed, murdered and pillaged China during the century of Chinese humiliation".

European states can indeed play a useful role to "help build the capacity of smaller Asian nations to preserve their autonomy and territorial integrity" by a "combination of patient diplomacy and proactive strategic engagement through trade and investment deals" as Richard Javad Heydarian wrote in these pages in April. But he also specifically warned about the dangers of "siding with one superpower against the other".

That is exactly what the UK, France and Germany appear to be doing by sailing their gunships through these troubled waters. Europe should stay out. The situation is tense enough as it is. If needless provocations risk escalation, it will be the peoples of the Asia-Pacific, not Europeans, who will suffer.

Napoleon
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Mia Man’s tips for fermentation

- Start with a simple recipe such as yogurt or sauerkraut

- Keep your hands and kitchen tools clean. Sanitize knives, cutting boards, tongs and storage jars with boiling water before you start.

- Mold is bad: the colour pink is a sign of mold. If yogurt turns pink as it ferments, you need to discard it and start again. For kraut, if you remove the top leaves and see any sign of mold, you should discard the batch.

- Always use clean, closed, airtight lids and containers such as mason jars when fermenting yogurt and kraut. Keep the lid closed to prevent insects and contaminants from getting in.

 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
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%3Cp%3EYears%3A%20October%202015%20-%20June%202024%3Cbr%3ETotal%20games%3A%20491%3Cbr%3EWin%20percentage%3A%2060.9%25%3Cbr%3EMajor%20trophies%3A%206%20(Premier%20League%20x%201%2C%20Champions%20League%20x%201%2C%20FA%20Cup%20x%201%2C%20League%20Cup%20x%202%2C%20Fifa%20Club%20World%20Cup%20x1)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
%20Ramez%20Gab%20Min%20El%20Akher
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStreaming%20on%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMBC%20Shahid%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
ABU%20DHABI'S%20KEY%20TOURISM%20GOALS%3A%20BY%20THE%20NUMBERS
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

Moving%20Out%202
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20SMG%20Studio%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Team17%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsoles%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nintendo%20Switch%2C%20PlayStation%204%26amp%3B5%2C%20PC%20and%20Xbox%20One%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MATCH INFO

England 241-3 (20 ovs)

Malan 130 no, Morgan 91

New Zealand 165 all out (16.5ovs)

Southee 39, Parkinson 4-47

England win by 76 runs

Series level at 2-2

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETelr%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELaunch%20year%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202014%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E65%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%20and%20payments%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enearly%20%2430%20million%20so%20far%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Test

Director: S Sashikanth

Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan

Star rating: 2/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Western Region Asia Cup Qualifier

Results

UAE beat Saudi Arabia by 12 runs

Kuwait beat Iran by eight wickets

Oman beat Maldives by 10 wickets

Bahrain beat Qatar by six wickets

Semi-finals

UAE v Qatar

Bahrain v Kuwait

 

Navdeep Suri, India's Ambassador to the UAE

There has been a longstanding need from the Indian community to have a religious premises where they can practise their beliefs. Currently there is a very, very small temple in Bur Dubai and the community has outgrown this. So this will be a major temple and open to all denominations and a place should reflect India’s diversity.

It fits so well into the UAE’s own commitment to tolerance and pluralism and coming in the year of tolerance gives it that extra dimension.

What we will see on April 20 is the foundation ceremony and we expect a pretty broad cross section of the Indian community to be present, both from the UAE and abroad. The Hindu group that is building the temple will have their holiest leader attending – and we expect very senior representation from the leadership of the UAE.

When the designs were taken to the leadership, there were two clear options. There was a New Jersey model with a rectangular structure with the temple recessed inside so it was not too visible from the outside and another was the Neasden temple in London with the spires in its classical shape. And they said: look we said we wanted a temple so it should look like a temple. So this should be a classical style temple in all its glory.

It is beautifully located - 30 minutes outside of Abu Dhabi and barely 45 minutes to Dubai so it serves the needs of both communities.

This is going to be the big temple where I expect people to come from across the country at major festivals and occasions.

It is hugely important – it will take a couple of years to complete given the scale. It is going to be remarkable and will contribute something not just to the landscape in terms of visual architecture but also to the ethos. Here will be a real representation of UAE’s pluralism.

2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups

Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.

Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.

Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.

Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.

Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.

Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.

Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.

Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
How Beautiful this world is!
ELIO

Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

Everybody%20Loves%20Touda
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nabil%20Ayouch%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nisrin%20Erradi%2C%20Joud%20Chamihy%2C%20Jalila%20Talemsi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Votes

Total votes: 1.8 million

Ashraf Ghani: 923,592 votes

Abdullah Abdullah: 720,841 votes 

Heavily-sugared soft drinks slip through the tax net

Some popular drinks with high levels of sugar and caffeine have slipped through the fizz drink tax loophole, as they are not carbonated or classed as an energy drink.

Arizona Iced Tea with lemon is one of those beverages, with one 240 millilitre serving offering up 23 grams of sugar - about six teaspoons.

A 680ml can of Arizona Iced Tea costs just Dh6.

Most sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, five teaspoons of sugar in a 500ml bottle.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Kill%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nikhil%20Nagesh%20Bhat%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20Lakshya%2C%20Tanya%20Maniktala%2C%20Ashish%20Vidyarthi%2C%20Harsh%20Chhaya%2C%20Raghav%20Juyal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204.5%2F5%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPowertrain%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle%20electric%20motor%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E201hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E310Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E53kWh%20lithium-ion%20battery%20pack%20(GS%20base%20model)%3B%2070kWh%20battery%20pack%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETouring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E350km%20(GS)%3B%20480km%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C900%20(GS)%3B%20Dh149%2C000%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
While you're here

The Baghdad Clock

Shahad Al Rawi, Oneworld

THE CLOWN OF GAZA

Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah 

Starring: Alaa Meqdad

Rating: 4/5

Expo details

Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia

The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.

It is expected to attract 25 million visits

Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.

More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020

The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area

It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South

MATCH INFO

Manchester City 0

Wolves 2 (Traore 80', 90 4')

The biog

Name: Timothy Husband

Nationality: New Zealand

Education: Degree in zoology at The University of Sydney

Favourite book: Lemurs of Madagascar by Russell A Mittermeier

Favourite music: Billy Joel

Weekends and holidays: Talking about animals or visiting his farm in Australia

The biog

Name: Abeer Al Shahi

Emirate: Sharjah – Khor Fakkan

Education: Master’s degree in special education, preparing for a PhD in philosophy.

Favourite activities: Bungee jumping

Favourite quote: “My people and I will not settle for anything less than first place” – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.

Ruwais timeline

1971 Abu Dhabi National Oil Company established

1980 Ruwais Housing Complex built, located 10 kilometres away from industrial plants

1982 120,000 bpd capacity Ruwais refinery complex officially inaugurated by the founder of the UAE Sheikh Zayed

1984 Second phase of Ruwais Housing Complex built. Today the 7,000-unit complex houses some 24,000 people.  

1985 The refinery is expanded with the commissioning of a 27,000 b/d hydro cracker complex

2009 Plans announced to build $1.2 billion fertilizer plant in Ruwais, producing urea

2010 Adnoc awards $10bn contracts for expansion of Ruwais refinery, to double capacity from 415,000 bpd

2014 Ruwais 261-outlet shopping mall opens

2014 Production starts at newly expanded Ruwais refinery, providing jet fuel and diesel and allowing the UAE to be self-sufficient for petrol supplies

2014 Etihad Rail begins transportation of sulphur from Shah and Habshan to Ruwais for export

2017 Aldar Academies to operate Adnoc’s schools including in Ruwais from September. Eight schools operate in total within the housing complex.

2018 Adnoc announces plans to invest $3.1 billion on upgrading its Ruwais refinery 

2018 NMC Healthcare selected to manage operations of Ruwais Hospital

2018 Adnoc announces new downstream strategy at event in Abu Dhabi on May 13

Source: The National

Related
The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

ESSENTIALS

The flights 
Fly Etihad or Emirates from the UAE to Moscow from 2,763 return per person return including taxes. 
Where to stay 
Trips on the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian cost from US$16,995 (Dh62,414) per person, based on two sharing.

Updated: August 11, 2021, 5:30 AM`