
China-Qatar strategic partnership has entered a ‘golden era', says envoy
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. (Syndigate.info).
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Crypto Insight
3 hours ago
- Crypto Insight
China's crypto liquidation plans reveal its grand strategy
Opinion by: Joshua Chu, co-chair of the Hong Kong Web3 Association Last week's announcement of Hong Kong's LEAP Digital Assets Policy Statement 2.0 was made with much anticipation and fanfare. The government of Hong Kong promised a comprehensive regulatory framework that will unify licensing and 'expand the suite of tokenised products.' Yet beneath the hype and visible maneuvers lies a far more consequential move: Beijing's (the world's second largest holder of crypto) announcement of its intention to liquidate confiscated virtual currencies through Hong Kong's licensed exchanges. These events, while seemingly separate, are actually components of a carefully orchestrated strategy by China, designed to position Hong Kong as the dominant virtual asset hub and China's strategic market operator. A strategy of convergence: Hong Kong is poised to become the region's virtual asset hub. Still, it will also serve as the linchpin of China's global ambitions: a crypto hedge, a market price vehicle and a forward command post for PRC-crypto-liquidity. Regulatory foundations On the surface, Hong Kong's LEAP policy appears to be all the headlines. A proper understanding of strategy, however, demands looking beyond the surface. The true power of these policy decisions lies in the liquidity injection that China's crypto-liquidation decision will invariably create. This instrument will simultaneously grant Hong Kong unprecedented influence over global virtual asset markets. The foundation of Hong Kong's regulatory framework can be traced back to 2022 with the passage of the Amendment of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (AMLO), which, after the Securities and Futures Commission had the opportunity to gain sufficient experience under the previous opt-in regime, formally brought virtual asset trading platforms (VATPs) under their remit via the AMLO mandatory licensing regime. This critical move secured alignment with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards and became the first cornerstone legislation for virtual assets. The next critical legislation that came about was the Stablecoin Ordinance, set to commence on Aug. 1, 2025, establishing a dedicated licensing regime for fiat-referenced stablecoin issuers. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) oversees this regime, mandating one-to-one reserves, robust redemption mechanisms and rigorous risk controls. In June 2025, introducing the LEAP Digital Assets Policy Statement 2.0 further developed Hong Kong's framework. LEAP unifies licensing, expands the suite of tokenized products and advances use cases of cross-sector collaboration and talent development. Going beyond FATF-directed regulatory tinkering, LEAP aspires to be the architecture that will 'scale Hong Kong to new heights of global digital asset leadership' and signal Hong Kong's readiness to embrace the future of digital assets. Laws and regulations alone cannot, however, command markets. It is liquidity that will decide the day. China's decision to channel confiscated digital assets through Hong Kong's licensed VATP will strategically inject real, tangible liquidity into the ecosystem. This is no longer an FATF compliance checklist exercise — it is a strategic lever. Through enabling controlled liquidation, Hong Kong stands to become a market price vehicle capable of rapidly modulating supply and demand, another key driving factor of virtual asset value. Liquidity as a weapon Liquidity is the lifeblood of any market. Without liquidity, even the most sophisticated market will falter. Just look at the London Stock Exchange. Under China's grand strategy, unlike the United States, which holds a vast Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and is placed under a rigid 'hold-only' policy, liquidity injected into Hong Kong's exchanges will actively convert seized assets into market liquidity. This setup will grant Hong Kong — and by extension China — the ability to influence price, stabilize markets and respond to geopolitical pressures as it sees fit. Just as control of the rare earth metals gave China all the cards in the latest rounds of trade negotiation with the US, so too will control over crypto liquidity, effectively controlling the value of the US's newly minted crypto reserve. This is a subtle, yet profound, shift in the balance of power. The ability of a single nation to control liquidity flows is to control market narratives and outcomes. Implications and countermeasures This grand strategy fundamentally alters the balance of power within the cryptosphere. Hong Kong will have a decisive advantage in absorbing institutional capital and deepening market liquidity, leveraging its unique position as the conduit for the PRC's crypto liquidation moves. At the same time, by scaling 'Hong Kong to new heights of global digital asset leadership,' China will have a powerful geopolitical tool in its hands, able to control global cryptocurrency valuations through calculated market liquidity management. Meanwhile, the US will face a strategic dilemma: Should it continue with a passive crypto stockpile with limited or no market influence? Or should the US consider new mechanisms to counterbalance Hong Kong's growing control over crypto liquidity? Understanding the dynamic in this interplay is important for market participants, lawyers, risk practitioners and lawmakers. After all, compliance frameworks must be adjusted to address increased scrutiny and risks associated with liquidity-driven market movements. In contrast, risk management strategies anticipating volatility stemming from strategic liquidity flows and a keen understanding of how liquidity control will shape the market narratives and outcomes are key. The key to the Web3 markets is therefore liquidity and information. While Hong Kong's LEAP policy garners all the media attention, the true chess move lies in China's crypto liquidation and injection policy. This injection will turn Hong Kong into a dynamic market price vehicle, capable of wielding liquidity as a weapon that few jurisdictions can match. Contrast this with the US, which is constrained by a rigid 'hold-only' reserve policy, and it lacks the flexibility to influence market liquidity or respond effectively to price volatility. Singapore, which, despite a mature regulatory framework, faces limitations in market scale, and Dubai, though ambitious, struggles with fragmented regulatory remits and high operational costs that hinder rapid scaling. Hong Kong 'holds all the cards.' Only this time, China is also making all the liquidity cards. As such, the city's unique combination of mature regulatory framework, direct access to the world's second-largest crypto holdings and the ability to deploy such liquidity strategically at their discretion grants it an unparalleled high ground in the Web3 ecosystem. Hong Kong can modulate global crypto prices in real time, attract institutional capital and foster innovation within a stable, investor-friendly environment. Liquidity is the ultimate leverage in this contest, and Hong Kong holds the switch. Understanding this layered strategy is essential for those who seek to navigate the rapidly evolving digital asset landscape with clarity and foresight. Those who fail will find themselves outmaneuvered. Opinion by: Joshua Chu, co-chair of the Hong Kong Web3 Association. Source:

Zawya
10 hours ago
- Zawya
Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation Receives Report on the Implementation Status of Projects of Information Infrastructure Center for Egyptian Planning System
Development of 380 technology centers in local municipalities, villages, cities, and new urban communities has been completed. 156 government services are available through the fixed "Khadamat Masr" centers in Sharm El Sheikh, Mokattam, Aswan, and Alexandria; citizens have completed over 300,000 transactions as of the end of June 2025. The development and delivery of 276 centers within the Mobile Technology Centers project for providing government services to citizens has been completed. H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, received a report on the implementation status of projects for the Ministry's Information Infrastructure Center for the Egyptian Planning System. The center is executing several projects, including the integration of spatial information infrastructure to develop the Egyptian planning system, projects for developing health services and initiatives (sustainability of births, deaths, and vaccinations), the project for developing financial and banking information systems at the National Investment Bank, and improving government performance in cooperation with the Administrative Prosecution Authority. Other projects include the development of technology centers in districts, cities, and new urban communities, improving the operational efficiency of real estate registry offices, as well as the mobile technology centers and fixed "Misr Services" centers. H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat emphasized the pivotal role of the Information Infrastructure Center for the Egyptian Planning System, in light of the significant importance the state places on digital transformation and developing services provided to citizens. This is aimed at the comprehensive development of government policies and performance, to keep pace with the aspirations and challenges of the next phase, and to continue the path of structural and institutional reform. H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat noted that the Ministry is working to advance economic development efforts and close sectoral development gaps by relying on data-driven policies, which reflects the importance of digital transformation in the state's vision. _*Technology Centers in Local Municipalities*_ The report highlighted the project to develop technology centers in local municipalities and new city authorities. This project aims to provide citizens and investors with civilized, fast, accurate, and integrated services by coordinating with governorates to establish technology centers. These centers provide services to citizens and send them through a smart system to back-end departments, linking them with participating government bodies. This enhances performance efficiency, tightens control, and improves monitoring methods using information technology at the level of governorate general offices, centers, cities, districts, rural units (Haya Karima), and new city authorities. The development of service delivery locations in local municipalities (general offices, cities and centers, districts, and new city authorities) for 380 centers has been completed. This includes 316 centers in cities and districts, 30 centers in rural units, and 34 centers in the New Urban Communities Authority to improve the level of services provided to citizens. Moreover, development efforts have contributed to reducing the time for service delivery to citizens by 60% and decreasing crowding rates at fixed technology centers by supporting governorates with 37 mobile technology center vehicles, which had a positive impact on increasing citizen satisfaction. _*"Khadamat Masr" Center Project*_ The report highlighted the "Khadamat Masr" project, which aims to enhance financial and digital inclusion, reduce the time and effort required to obtain government services, and provide a package of government services from a single location. Fixed "Khadamat Masr" branches have been opened in Sharm El Sheikh, Alexandria, Aswan, and Mokattam in Cairo, with a number of other branches in other governorates nearing completion for opening. According to the report, new services have been added, bringing the total number of government services provided in "Khadamat Masr" centers to around 156 by the end of the fourth quarter of the 2024-2025 fiscal year. It is expected that these services will reach about 200 in the next fiscal year, ranging from real estate registration and notarization services, civil affairs, the Egyptian Public Prosecution, social solidarity services, the General Department for Passports, Immigration and Nationality, the General Department of Traffic, social insurance, and electronic payment, among other services. The report revealed that the number of transactions citizens have completed at "Khadamat Masr" centers reached over 300,000 by the end of the fourth quarter of 2024-2025, with an average service time of 30 minutes. The goal is to reduce this average service time to about 20 minutes. The report mentioned that the project for integrating the spatial information infrastructure to develop the Egyptian planning system is a comprehensive national project aimed at improving the efficiency of developmental investment decisions, increasing the efficiency of government spending, optimizing resource utilization, and directing state investments in an efficient and effective manner. This is achieved by using the latest technologies and advanced satellite and aerial imaging to produce unified base maps for the state and all spatial reports. _*Mobile Technology Service Centers*_ The report reviewed the progress of the Mobile Technology Centers project, which aims to provide government services to citizens in a civilized and dignified manner, reduce crowding at government service offices, and improve the business environment. This is achieved by providing digitized services that ensure citizen satisfaction. It was noted that 276 mobile technology centers were delivered by the end of last March, out of a total target of 326 centers, comprising 198 centers for government agencies and 78 mobile centers as part of the "Khadamat Masr" project, in cooperation between the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation and various government entities. _*Health Projects Information Infrastructure Project*_ Regarding the Health Projects Information Infrastructure Project (sustainability of birth and death systems and development of the vaccination systems' information infrastructure), it aims to enhance the efficiency and transparency of the health system and improve the quality of healthcare services. This is done by developing an integrated information infrastructure that supports the accurate and efficient registration of vital statistics. The project also contributes to enhancing the state's capacity for sustainable health planning, rationalizing spending, and improving vaccination registration mechanisms. The number of health offices linked electronically is 4,666, and the operational capacity of 2,000 health offices has been increased (providing devices and equipment). All vaccination offices have also been linked and are operating on the electronic system. The number of electronically linked vaccination offices has reached 5,434, and the number of vaccination offices supported with devices as part of the 2024/2025 plan has reached 2,000. _*Government Performance Improvement Project*_ The report also covered the project to improve government performance in cooperation with the Administrative Prosecution. This project aims to improve the performance of public facilities nationwide and enhance the quality of life for Egyptian citizens by evaluating and measuring government performance. It also supports decision-makers with accurate data that contributes to improving the performance of public employees and government entities. The project aims to link 273 administrative prosecution offices to the complaints system, and by the end of June 2025, 22,946 complaints had been registered through the system. _*Electronic Voting Project*_ The report outlined the electronic voting project, which aims to establish the first electronic voting system in the Arab Republic of Egypt, in cooperation with the Administrative Prosecution Authority, and to create an integrated digital platform for managing and operating the electoral system electronically. _*Supporting the Operational Capacity of Real Estate Registry Offices*_ The report referred to the project to support the operational capacity of the Real Estate and Notarization Authority's offices. This project contributes to the rapid entry of data for registration and publicity requests for properties in accordance with Law No. 9 of 2022, and the quick completion of property registration procedures for citizens. This leads to an increase in the state's public treasury revenues due to the rise in accepted registration requests and collected fees. The operational capacity of 28 offices, 293 sub-offices, and one main office of the Real Estate and Notarization Authority has been improved. _*Supporting the Operational Capacity of Public Prosecution Offices*_ Regarding the project to support the operational capacity of Public Prosecution offices, it aims to facilitate litigation procedures and ensure that stakeholders can obtain their rights without hardship, within a framework of constitutional and procedural legitimacy. This is achieved by automating 640 offices over four years from the start of the project and converting 50 million documents into digital documents that are easy to access and store. The number of offices targeted for the first year, 2024-2025, is 123 public prosecution offices (19% of the total number of offices), and the number of digitally converted documents has reached 2,375,000. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation - Egypt.


Zawya
14 hours ago
- Zawya
BRIDGE Roadshow lands in Shanghai as UAE spearheads global dialogue to redefine the future of media
Dr. Jamal Mohammed Obaid Al Kaabi: China is a leading model in media innovation and shaping global narratives BRIDGE Roadshow in Shanghai highlights China's role in shaping the new media landscape. Global voices gather in Shanghai to explore innovation, responsibility, and more balanced media perspectives. Sessions explored new horizons for media collaboration, drawing on innovation, smart technologies, and cultural diplomacy to shape a more balanced and impactful global media landscape. SHANGHAI, China: The BRIDGE Roadshow continues its momentum as Shanghai, China, hosts the latest stop in its global journey, bringing together leaders from media, technology, business, finance, and public policy to explore the evolving role of media and information ecosystems. The event serves as a critical milestone in the lead-up to the BRIDGE Summit 2025 - the largest platform uniting media, cultural and creative content creators, leaders, and decision-makers to transform how the world communicates, set to take place in Abu Dhabi, from 8 - 10 December 2025. Following the successful events in New York, London, and Osaka, Shanghai becomes the latest hub for the global conversation on how today's information dynamics are reshaping economies, governance, culture, and public trust. At this pivotal gathering, leading voices from Asia and beyond came together to discuss the region's growing influence on global media and culture, and to examine the role of innovation and responsibility in the fast-changing media landscape. Shanghai: Spotlight on innovation and media leadership Shanghai provided a dynamic backdrop for the BRIDGE Roadshow, aligning with the city's prominent role in the global media and tech landscape. In the presence of His Excellency Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of the UAE National Media Office and the UAE Media Council, His Excellency Muhannad Sulaiman Al Naqbi, Consul General of the United Arab Emirates in Shanghai, and His Excellency Khalid Al Shehhi, Deputy Ambassador of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in China, the event attracted leaders from across media, technology, and business to discuss how innovation, technology, and cultural influence are converging in the global media narrative. A central theme of the Shanghai event focused on the role of innovation in media and how China's platforms and creators are reshaping the global media landscape. A key discussion, moderated by John Darling, Co-Founder & CEO, Creative Capital Ventures, centred on whether Chinese stories could shape the international narrative, considering how China's unique position in global media offers new opportunities for soft power. The panellists, including Joleen Liang, Co-Founder & President of Squirrel AI Learning, Zengxin Li, Deputy General Manager of Caixin Global, and Dennis Potgraven, Chief Strategy Officer of WPP Media China, explored the challenges and opportunities of this dynamic. They discussed how Chinese platforms are influencing perceptions both locally and globally, with an emphasis on how these platforms are redefining what it means to tell a story in today's interconnected world. Another central theme in Shanghai was the potential of gaming as the next frontier of cultural influence. A talk, led by Fangda Wan, Founder & General Partner of Gam3Girl Ventures, discussed how China's gaming industry is rapidly evolving into a nearly $50 billion market, offering new ways to blend technology with culture. Speakers examined how gaming is becoming a powerful force in global media, allowing for new forms of storytelling that merge traditional Chinese narratives with cutting-edge technology. H.E Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Hamed: The world needs a comprehensive intellectual vision that reaffirms the humanistic and civilisational role of media H.E. Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Office and Chairman of the UAE Media Council, emphasised that the Shanghai stop of the BRIDGE Roadshow marks a defining moment, highlighting China's dynamic media and cultural landscape and its growing impact on shaping global narratives. The Chairman stressed that the challenges facing global media today are not limited to tools or platforms, but extend to the overarching vision guiding them. While technologies continue to evolve rapidly, there remains a pressing need for a comprehensive intellectual outlook that reaffirms the media's humanistic and civilisational role as a platform for meaningful content and a key contributor to knowledge-based societies and future economies. H.E. also underlined that the Roadshow's path through New York, London, Osaka, and now Shanghai reflects the UAE's deep-rooted commitment to cultivating more balanced and inclusive global media perspectives. This effort is rooted in the UAE's core belief in building bridges of communication and fostering meaningful cultural exchange. The Chairman concluded by stating that the discussions held during the Shanghai stop will help enrich the agenda of the upcoming Bridge 2025 Summit in Abu Dhabi, which will serve as a platform bringing together media decision-makers and influence alliances, aiming to explore the future of media and strengthen its role as a partner in development, innovation and global understanding. Dr. Jamal Mohammed Obaid Al Kaabi: China is a leading model in media innovation and shaping global narratives For his part, H.E. Dr. Jamal Mohammed Obaid Al Kaabi, Director-General of the UAE National Media Office, shared his perspective on the evolving media ecosystem: 'As the media landscape continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, China's innovative leadership in media and cultural industries is playing a pivotal role in shaping global narratives. Through a unique blend of tradition and cutting-edge technology, Chinese platforms and creators are expanding the boundaries of soft power, offering diverse perspectives that are reshaping how news and stories are consumed around the world. BRIDGE provides an essential platform to bring together leaders and innovators from across the globe, helping to ensure that the stories we tell remain authentic, inclusive, and impactful.' Connecting conversations: Expanding on the global dialogue The BRIDGE Roadshow series is designed to fuel an ongoing discussion about the future of media. Each stop contributes to Connecting Conversations, an evolving series of insights that will inform the programming and partnerships for BRIDGE Summit 2025 in Abu Dhabi. In New York, the focus was on AI's role in ensuring trust in media, while London explored narrative diplomacy and the responsibility of media in cross-border relations. Osaka, which preceded Shanghai, placed a strong emphasis on media innovation and the ethical use of generative AI. Osaka, which marked the third stop on the roadshow after New York and London, explored themes of AI, media innovation, and cultural authenticity, setting the stage for Shanghai to dive deeper into China's role in shaping global narratives. In Shanghai, with its dynamic creative economy, further explored the delicate balance between technological advancement and cultural authenticity in the media space. The roadshow continues to build momentum, offering new perspectives on how media, technology, and culture intersect in a rapidly transforming world. BRIDGE Summit 2025: Where influence meets impact BRIDGE Summit 2025 will serve as a space for content creators, artists, influencers, and agencies — those who know how to engage — to join forces with government entities, investors, and corporations — those who have the power to shape change. By bridging these two worlds, the summit will unlock purpose-driven collaborations that shape public perception and influence behaviour across borders. This is where thought leadership meets business innovation — providing the space and tools for a new generation of global communicators to co-create solutions that transcend entertainment and drive tangible, lasting impact. Registrations for BRIDGE Summit 2025 are now open at