China has voiced its support for the territorial integrity of Ukraine as it prepares to release a position paper on the war almost a year into the fighting.
At the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, State Councillor Wang Yi called for dialogue to resolve the conflict so that the principles of UN are upheld.
The closely watched appearance by the People's Republic's most senior foreign affairs official set out the basis of Beijing's approach to the Russian invasion.
Mr Wang said he was deeply concerned by the crisis, and while Beijing was not directly concerned it “does not stand idly by and does not add fuel to the fire”. He issued a warning about "some forces" that do not want Ukraine-Russia peace talks to succeed.
He said what was needed was a revival of a framework text that Russia and Ukraine could explore at the negotiating table to ensure the warfare did not continue and that confrontation between major powers would be averted.
With European leaders committing arms to Ukraine, Mr Wang issued a plead not only for protagonists but all concerned countries to think calmly, “especially our friends in Europe”.
In this sense, the bloc would be able to ensure its own manifest autonomy. As a reassurance to the Europeans, Mr Wang said the Chinese position paper would include lines that territorial integrity and sovereignty be respected.
In a gesture to Russian interests, he added that legitimate security concerns must be respected. In addition, Mr Wang said nuclear war must not be fought and cannot be won.
In response to Washington's shooting down of what the US called a Chinese spy balloon, as well as several other airborne objects, Mr Wang said the episode was “hysterical and absurd”.
“There are many balloons from many countries in the sky. Do you want to down each and every one of them?
“We urge the United States not to do such preposterous things simply to divert attention from its own domestic problems.”
Asked to provide a reassurance that there was no imminent prospect of military activity over Taiwan, Mr Wang said the status quo was what mattered.
He also hinted the US was working to impede the development of the Chinese economy, describing the US Chips and Science Act as “100 per cent protectionism.
The observation underlined his basic point that power politics are should not take a superior role over the principle that the integrity of all countries must be respected.
After a meeting with German chancellor Olaf Scholz on“the Ukraine issue” the Chinese state news agency Xinhua said both countries were cooperating on the fallout from the crisis.
“Wang said that China and Germany, both independent major countries, shoulder common responsibility for maintaining world peace and addressing global challenges,” Xinhua reported.
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Moral education needed in a 'rapidly changing world'
Moral education lessons for young people is needed in a rapidly changing world, the head of the programme said.
Alanood Al Kaabi, head of programmes at the Education Affairs Office of the Crown Price Court - Abu Dhabi, said: "The Crown Price Court is fully behind this initiative and have already seen the curriculum succeed in empowering young people and providing them with the necessary tools to succeed in building the future of the nation at all levels.
"Moral education touches on every aspect and subject that children engage in.
"It is not just limited to science or maths but it is involved in all subjects and it is helping children to adapt to integral moral practises.
"The moral education programme has been designed to develop children holistically in a world being rapidly transformed by technology and globalisation."
You can’t yet talk about investing or borrowing, but introduce a “classic” money bank and start putting gifts and allowances away. When the child wants a specific toy, have them save for it and help them track their progress.
Early childhood (six - eight years)
Replace the money bank with three jars labelled ‘saving’, ‘spending’ and ‘sharing’. Have the child divide their allowance into the three jars each week and explain their choices in splitting their pocket money. A guide could be 25 per cent saving, 50 per cent spending, 25 per cent for charity and gift-giving.
Middle childhood (nine - 11 years)
Open a bank savings account and help your child establish a budget and set a savings goal. Introduce the notion of ‘paying yourself first’ by putting away savings as soon as your allowance is paid.
Young teens (12 - 14 years)
Change your child’s allowance from weekly to monthly and help them pinpoint long-range goals such as a trip, so they can start longer-term saving and find new ways to increase their saving.
Teenage (15 - 18 years)
Discuss mutual expectations about university costs and identify what they can help fund and set goals. Don’t pay for everything, so they can experience the pride of contributing.
Young adulthood (19 - 22 years)
Discuss post-graduation plans and future life goals, quantify expenses such as first apartment, work wardrobe, holidays and help them continue to save towards these goals.
