Sharjah Ruler condoles Saudi King on death of Alwaleed bin Khalid
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Zawya
15 minutes ago
- Zawya
China-Qatar strategic partnership has entered a ‘golden era', says envoy
Under the strategic leadership of the Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Amir of Qatar His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the China-Qatar strategic partnership has entered its most robust period, undergoing an 11-year 'Golden Era' of development, Ambassador of China to Qatar HE Cao Xiolin has said. The envoy was speaking at a reception to mark the 98th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA). Present on the occasion were Brigadier-General Abdulbaqi S. Al Ansari, representing Qatar Emiri Naval Commander; Brigadier-General Fahad Al Marri, representing Commander of the Qatar Amiri Signal Corps; diplomats; members of the media and guests. The Chinese ambassador emphasised the significance of ongoing defence cooperation between China and Qatar, describing it as a vital component in enhancing bilateral ties and contributing to global and regional peace. He underscored China's peaceful rise, commitment to sovereignty, and opposition to hegemonism and power politics. Reflecting on history, he drew attention to China's central role in the Eastern Front during World War II and the heavy sacrifices made by the Chinese people during the war against Japanese aggression. The ambassador reiterated China's dedication to multilateralism and international peacebuilding, referencing the Global Security Initiative launched by President Xi in 2022. He also spoke about China's humanitarian efforts, especially in relation to the Gaza crisis, highlighting China's role in supporting ceasefire efforts and providing aid. In his address on the occasion, Colonel Yang Yongzhi, defence attaché at the Chinese Embassy in Qatar, acknowledged Qatar's proactive role in global peace efforts under the leadership of HH the Amir. He commended Qatar's mediation in regional conflicts and its active engagement in counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and international security cooperation. As a founding member of the Global Counterterrorism Forum and a strategic partner of the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism, Qatar has played a significant role in enhancing global resilience, he said. Col. Yang also highlighted the steady growth of China-Qatar military relations, marked by high-level exchanges, expanded naval and air force cooperation, and collaboration in military education and defense industries. He affirmed China's commitment to strengthening strategic coordination and promoting regional and global peace. He also outlined China's Global Security Initiative and the PLA's contributions to peacekeeping, maritime security, and humanitarian missions, including deployments in UN operations and disaster relief efforts worldwide. © Copyright Qatar Tribune. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
an hour ago
- Zawya
Saudi Arabia to unveil national media strategy soon, says minister
RIYADH — Minister of Media Salman Al-Dosari confirmed on Wednesday that Saudi Arabia has not yet launched its official media sector strategy, stating that the national media strategy remains under review and will be formally announced in due course. Speaking during the government press conference in Riyadh, Al-Dosari said the Saudi media landscape is evolving from merely relaying news to creating impact, emphasizing that the sector is moving "from medium to message." He also announced that the upcoming edition of the Saudi Media Forum will be held under the patronage of King Salman bin Abdulaziz, positioning it as a national platform aligned with global media momentum and future-focused tools. '2030 is no longer a date in the future, it symbolizes limitless ambition. In Saudi Arabia, dreams aren't told, they're built. Tomorrow doesn't wait; it's accomplished today,' Al-Dosari added. Highlighting the Kingdom's humanitarian role, the minister noted that Saudi Arabia is transforming its aid initiatives into a sustainable humanitarian system. Since its inception, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) has delivered more than SR30 billion in aid to 108 countries through over 3,500 development and relief programs. Al-Dosari also revealed that around 230,000 surgeries have been performed under Saudi Arabia's overseas voluntary medical campaigns. Meanwhile, the Saudi Program for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen has provided over SR4.27 billion in funding for more than 265 projects across key sectors including roads, water, health, and education. Turning to technology and innovation, Al-Dosari said Saudi Arabia sees sustainable development as a transnational responsibility. 'We are crafting the algorithms of the future, turning data into decisions and artificial intelligence into development,' he noted. Saudi Arabia's digital economy reached SR495 billion in 2024, accounting for 15% of GDP and growing at an annual rate of nearly 7%. The number of tech companies listed on the Saudi stock exchange has also surged to 23 in 2024, up from just two in 2020. 'Today, we don't just consume technology, we contribute to building it with a value-driven and human-centered vision,' Al-Dosari said. © Copyright 2022 The Saudi Gazette. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
The National
3 hours ago
- The National
US sits on sidelines as global momentum builds for a two-state solution
Britain's announcement that it might finally recognise the State of Palestine dominated headlines this week, overshadowing a UN summit that could prove consequential in securing a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Prime Minister Keir Starmer's declaration that the UK would probably recognise Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September was notable, especially given Britain's historical role in creating Israel and its 1917 Balfour Declaration endorsing the Zionist movement. But, in a style typical of the prevaricating Labour leader, he sucked the oxygen out of his own announcement by leaving space for a U-turn if Israel somehow manages to address the humanitarian catastrophe it has engineered in Gaza. Meanwhile at the UN, France and Saudi Arabia this week hosted a conference aimed at generating momentum towards a two-state solution ahead of the General Assembly. France has already said it will recognise Palestine in September - no ifs or buts - and Saudi Arabia has long pushed for Palestinian statehood and made it a condition of establishing relations with Israel. A largely overlooked piece of news came late on Tuesday in the form of a joint declaration from France and 14 other western countries that are allies of Israel saying they have, or they would be willing to, recognise Palestinian statehood at the General Assembly. Among them: Canada, New Zealand and Australia, none of which currently recognise Palestine. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Wednesday said Canada "intends" to recognise the Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly. We are at a tipping point, and other countries are sure to join in. If those on the list do indeed recognise the State of Palestine, it would mean that more than 150 of the UN's 193 member states recognise it - with Israel, Germany and the US among the few major nations still refusing to do so. It is a strong statement. As my colleague Adla Massoud reported from the UN, the declaration also condemns the October 7 attacks, calls for the release of all hostages and the disarmament of Hamas. Washington has vetoed several Security Council ceasefire resolutions exactly because they omitted these important aspects. Instead of acknowledging any of this this, the US chose to react with fury to France and Saudi Arabia having the temerity to host a two-state summit, calling it an "insult" and an "unproductive and ill-timed" publicity stunt. The US and Israel both boycotted the event. "Far from promoting peace, the conference will prolong the war, embolden Hamas, and reward its obstruction and undermine real-world efforts to achieve peace," State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said. Israel and the US say recognising Palestine now serves only as a reward to Hamas after the October 7, 2023, attacks that saw about 1,200 people killed and some 250 kidnapped. But such condemnation wilfully neglects the reality on the ground in Gaza, where more than 60,100 people have been killed in Israel's assault. Many more are feared to have died from less-immediate causes, such as from diseases being left untreated due to Israel's systematic destruction of the enclave's hospitals. For all his talk of being a deal-maker and his determination to win a Nobel Peace Prize, President Donald Trump has been unable to secure a new ceasefire in Gaza, where starvation is now claiming lives on a daily basis, and his thinking remains rigidly pro-Israel on the issue. What seems clear to most of the world - but still not to the US - is that the pre-October 7 orthodoxy on recognising Palestine no longer holds. The promise of statehood was always dangled as a reward for a successful outcome to hypothetical talks in the future, even though Israel pushed the prospects of a two-state solution ever further out through its illegal settlements in the West Bank. For each month that passes without international recognition of Palestine, Israel annexes more land and settlers commit more crimes. The aim is to make a Palestinian state inviable, which is why recognition now is vital. Israel has always enjoyed broad support in the US but after nearly two years of collective punishment in Gaza, that is slipping, particularly among younger people. Another crack appeared this week when Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a leading voice in Mr Trump's Make America Great Again movement, said Israel is committing "genocide" in Gaza. The firebrand congresswoman has long been accused of espousing anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, but her comments on Gaza could signal a turning point in the conversation among Republicans. Something has to change and Washington's unblinking support for Israel is increasingly putting it at odds with the rest of the world, which is now seeing an opening to act without Uncle Sam's blessing.
