From left, Musaad bin Mohammed Al Aiban, National Security Adviser of Saudi Arabia; Wang Yi, China's highest-ranking diplomat; and Ali Shamkhani, former secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, in Beijing in March. Reuters
From left, Musaad bin Mohammed Al Aiban, National Security Adviser of Saudi Arabia; Wang Yi, China's highest-ranking diplomat; and Ali Shamkhani, former secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, in Beijing in March. Reuters
From left, Musaad bin Mohammed Al Aiban, National Security Adviser of Saudi Arabia; Wang Yi, China's highest-ranking diplomat; and Ali Shamkhani, former secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security C
Zhai Jun is China’s special envoy for Middle East affairs
July 20, 2023
The Middle East enjoys a time-honoured history and civilisation, rich energy resources and an important position in the global landscape. China is a sincere friend of Middle Eastern countries. China always supports Middle Eastern countries in solving regional security issues through unity and co-ordination, and independently pursuing a path of modernisation with their own regional characteristics. China has always been a promoter of security and stability, and a partner for development and prosperity in the Middle East.
China firmly supports the Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate national rights. President Xi Jinping has put forward proposals for a just solution of the Palestinian question on several occasions. Last month, President Mahmoud Abbas came to China for another state visit. In his talks with President Abbas, President Xi put forward a three-point proposal for resolving the Palestinian question.
He stressed that the fundamental solution to the Palestinian question lies in the establishment of an independent state of Palestine that enjoys full sovereignty on the basis of the 1967 borders and with East Jerusalem as its capital; Palestine's economic and livelihood needs should be met, and the international community needs to step up development assistance and humanitarian aid to Palestine; and it is important to keep to the right direction of peace talks and convene a large-scale, more authoritative and more influential international peace conference.
As was announced, China established a strategic partnership with Palestine and voiced its support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
China firmly supports countries in the Middle East in resolving disputes through dialogue and negotiation. In March, the Beijing dialogue between Saudi Arabia and Iran achieved milestone results. In April, the two foreign ministers announced in Beijing the resumption of diplomatic relations between their countries. This opened a new page in their bilateral relations.
It is a step toward reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran and also a big step for the region and the international community in rising above conflicts. It has inspired a trend of dialogue and reconciliation in the region, thus creating favourable conditions for building a common, comprehensive, co-operative and sustainable Middle East security architecture. Facts once again prove that mutual respect, dialogue and consultation are the fundamental way of resolving disputes, and only through independence, solidarity and co-operation can countries in the region safeguard their common interests.
China firmly grows its relations with Middle Eastern countries. China has established comprehensive strategic partnerships or strategic partnerships with 13 countries in the region, and signed Belt and Road co-operation documents with 21 countries in the region.
In December last year, the first China-Arab States Summit was successfully held. China and Arab states agreed to make full efforts to build a China-Arab community with a shared future in the new era, and jointly implement the eight major initiatives for China-Arab states' practical co-operation. This charted the course for the development of China-Arab states relations in the new era. Last year, trade between China and Middle Eastern countries topped $500 billion for the first time, growing by 27 per cent year over year.
Both China and Middle Eastern countries are important members of the developing world. China will continue to respect Middle Eastern countries as masters of their regional affairs. We will continue to work with Middle Eastern countries to act on the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, and implement the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilisation Initiative. Together, we will generate positive energy for realising enduring peace and security in the Middle East, and contribute to the common interests of developing countries and the just cause of peace and development for humanity.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
There are numerous success stories of teen businesses that were created in college dorm rooms and other modest circumstances. Below are some of the most recognisable names in the industry:
Facebook: Mark Zuckerberg and his friends started Facebook when he was a 19-year-old Harvard undergraduate.
Dell: When Michael Dell was an undergraduate student at Texas University in 1984, he started upgrading computers for profit. He starting working full-time on his business when he was 19. Eventually, his company became the Dell Computer Corporation and then Dell Inc.
Subway: Fred DeLuca opened the first Subway restaurant when he was 17. In 1965, Mr DeLuca needed extra money for college, so he decided to open his own business. Peter Buck, a family friend, lent him $1,000 and together, they opened Pete’s Super Submarines. A few years later, the company was rebranded and called Subway.
Mashable: In 2005, Pete Cashmore created Mashable in Scotland when he was a teenager. The site was then a technology blog. Over the next few decades, Mr Cashmore has turned Mashable into a global media company.
Oculus VR: Palmer Luckey founded Oculus VR in June 2012, when he was 19. In August that year, Oculus launched its Kickstarter campaign and raised more than $1 million in three days. Facebook bought Oculus for $2 billion two years later.
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
IF YOU GO The flights: FlyDubai offers direct flights to Catania Airport from Dubai International Terminal 2 daily with return fares starting from Dh1,895. The details: Access to the 2,900-metre elevation point at Mount Etna by cable car and 4x4 transport vehicle cost around €57.50 (Dh248) per adult. Entry into Teatro Greco costs €10 (Dh43). For more go to www.visitsicily.info
Where to stay:Hilton Giardini Naxos offers beachfront access and accessible to Taormina and Mount Etna. Rooms start from around €130 (Dh561) per night, including taxes.
The biog
Hobby: "It is not really a hobby but I am very curious person. I love reading and spend hours on research."
Favourite author: Malcom Gladwell
Favourite travel destination: "Antigua in the Caribbean because I have emotional attachment to it. It is where I got married."
Defined benefit and defined contribution schemes explained
Defined Benefit Plan (DB)
A defined benefit plan is where the benefit is defined by a formula, typically length of service to and salary at date of leaving.
Defined Contribution Plan (DC)
A defined contribution plan is where the benefit depends on the amount of money put into the plan for an employee, and how much investment return is earned on those contributions.
Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
Jigra
Director: Vasan Bala
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
Rated: 3.5/5
MATCH INFO
Manchester City 3 (Silva 8' &15, Foden 33')
Birmginahm City 0
Man of the match Bernado Silva (Manchester City)
Tips to avoid getting scammed
1) Beware of cheques presented late on Thursday
2) Visit an RTA centre to change registration only after receiving payment
3) Be aware of people asking to test drive the car alone
4) Try not to close the sale at night
5) Don't be rushed into a sale
6) Call 901 if you see any suspicious behaviour
Scoreline
Swansea 2
Grimes 20' (pen), Celina, 29'
Man City 3
Silva 69', Nordfeldt 78' (og), Aguero 88'
What is 'Soft Power'?
Soft power was first mentioned in 1990 by former US Defence Secretary Joseph Nye. He believed that there were alternative ways of cultivating support from other countries, instead of achieving goals using military strength. Soft power is, at its root, the ability to convince other states to do what you want without force. This is traditionally achieved by proving that you share morals and values.
Abu Dhabi GP schedule
Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm
Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm
Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm
MATCH INFO
Real Madrid 2 (Benzema 13', Kroos 28') Barcelona 1 (Mingueza 60')
Red card: Casemiro (Real Madrid)
TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
