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What we know so far: China promises a ‘political solution’ on Ukraine war anniversary


China promised to publish a document proposing a “political solution” to the Russia-Ukraine war this week, coinciding with the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24.

China’s top diplomat Wang Yi made the announcement earlier this week at the Munich Security Conference.

He said the document will highlight an approach that aims for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, stand against nuclear war or endangering the security of civil nuclear facilities, and respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, according to state media.

“We do not add fuel to the fire, and we are against reaping benefits from this crisis… This warfare must not continue,” he said.

Here's what we know so far:

China: ‘Impartial and constructive’

Wang met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday in Moscow, where the two discussed Chinese-Russian ties and the Ukraine crisis.

“China will, as it always has, firmly adhere to an objective and impartial stance, and play a constructive role in the political settlement of the [Ukraine] crisis,” state news agency Xinhua quoted Wang as saying.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters at a press conference on Wednesday: “On the Ukraine issue… China will continue to promote peace talks, contribute its ideas for a political settlement of the crisis, and join the international community to promote dialogue and consultation, address the concerns of all parties and seek common security.”

He added: “On the Ukraine issue, China always stands on the side of peace. We have followed the four principles, called for joint efforts in four areas and shared three observations on Ukraine as outlined by President Xi Jinping, taken an objective and just position, and worked actively to promote peace talks.”

Russia denies: ‘No such talk’

Moscow’s official stance was to deny any talks involving a plan for peacefully resolving the conflict. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said: “We note statements by some Western politicians and media reports regarding some kind of ‘Chinese peace plan’. As usual, they distort the real picture.”

“The Chinese partners briefed us on their views on the root causes of the Ukrainian crisis, as well as approaches to its political settlement. There was no talk of any separate plan,” she added.

Putin had earlier on Wednesday met with Wang. Wang said Beijing was ready to take on a “constructive” role in Ukraine diplomacy, and Putin welcomed China taking on an active role and appreciated its “balanced approach”.

Ukraine: Must not cross ‘red lines’

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Wang shared “key points of China’s ‘peace plan’” when they met on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference earlier this week, Ukrainian Interfax reported.

Kuleba said Kyiv was open to conversation and new ideas, however, Ukraine wouldn’t draw any conclusions before receiving the full text of the plan and studying all its details. He also stressed that any plan must not cross Ukrainian “red lines”.

“We are ready to talk with those who have ideas, other ideas which can help us achieve this goal… The red lines are the principles of the UN charter, including respect for the territorial integrity of Ukraine… There will be no bargaining with any Ukrainian territories. The president [Volodymyr Zelenskyy] has already clearly said that”, he added.

West is watching warily

The West – US, EU and NATO – met the Chinese announcement with a lot of skepticism. Western leaders believe this to be a veiled attempt by Beijing to provide material support to its close ally Moscow, at a period when tensions between the West and both countries are at an all-time high.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Wang on Saturday and “warned about the implications and consequences if China provides material support to Russia or assistance with systemic sanctions evasion.”

Blinken said in an interview on Sunday: “We’ve been watching this very, very closely. And for the most part, China has been engaged in providing rhetorical, political, diplomatic support to Russia, but we have information that gives us concern that they are considering providing lethal support to Russia in the war against Ukraine. And it was important for me to share very clearly with Wang Yi that this would be a serious problem.”

European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen told CNN: “We need more proof that China isn’t working with Russia, and we are not seeing that now.”

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg also expressed concern that China might arm Russia against Ukraine. “We are also increasingly concerned that China may be planning to provide lethal support for Russia’s war.”

For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.

Read more:

Amid tension with US, Putin hails China ties and welcomes role for Beijing in Ukraine

NATO’s Stoltenberg says concerned China will arm Russia

Putin accuses West of fanning flames of conflict, vows to continue war in Ukraine

China ‘deeply concerned’ over Ukraine conflict, vows to ‘promote dialogue’

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Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi meets with CEOs of leading Norwegian companies

H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has met with a group of CEOs from leading Norwegian companies, as part of their participation in the UAE-Norway Investment Forum, held alongside his official visit to the Kingdom of Norway.

During the meeting, H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed underscored the UAE leadership’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation with its international partners.

He highlighted that investment in innovation and knowledge is a cornerstone for achieving sustainable development, noting that enhancing collaboration with Norwegian companies across key sectors will open new avenues for mutual economic growth between the two countries.

The UAE-Norway Investment Forum, taking place in Oslo, aimed to highlight available investment opportunities and strengthen trade relations between the UAE and Norway, fostering shared interests and supporting innovation and knowledge-based economic visions.

-wam

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At the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS inaugurates 10th global office, releases four books

As part of its Asian research tour, partnership with Aletihad News Center, and
primary sponsorship of the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS
Research & Advisory inaugurated its office in Jakarta, marking its 10th location
worldwide. It also released four books in Indonesian.
The inauguration event was attended by ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, and
Jordan to Indonesia, chairpersons of the UAE and Indonesian Publishers’
Associations, the Director of TRENDS’ Jakarta office, and a group of researchers
and academics.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS
Research & Advisory, stated that TRENDS’ international offices—set to reach 15
by the end of 2024—aim to enhance the Center’s research efforts and deepen its
role in disseminating knowledge, thus serving as a global knowledge bridge.
He emphasized, “At TRENDS, we believe in the importance of cooperation
between think tanks and prioritize this endeavor. We believe the TRENDS office in
Jakarta will enhance the exchange of knowledge and ideas between think tanks in
Asia and the Middle East, opening new horizons for collaboration in various
fields.”

Four books in Indonesian
As part of the Jakarta office’s inaugural activities, four books were released in
Indonesian, including the 11th and 12th books of the Muslim Brotherhood
Encyclopedia and Global Trends in AI and Automation and the Future of
Competition between Man and Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision.

Hostility to Arab states
The 11th book of the Muslim Brotherhood Encyclopedia, The Concept of the State
According to the Muslim Brotherhood, highlights its hostile stance toward Arab
states since its inception. The group views them as an obstacle to its ascent to
power. It opposed the modern principles upon which these states were built,
considering them incompatible with the group’s unique interpretation of Islam,
which it claimed to embody exclusively.

Exclusion of nonconformists
The 12th book, The Muslim Brotherhood: Rejection of Tolerance and Exclusion of
Nonconformists, examines the Muslim Brotherhood’s stance towards
nonconformists, individuals, and entities. The book reveals the group’s binary view
of the world, categorizing others as allies or adversaries. It ties these relationships
to the Brotherhood’s internal power struggles and self-serving interests.

Global Trends in AI
The third book, Global Trends in AI, explores significant developments in AI and
its impact on various aspects of life, including the economy, society, and
governance. It also offers a comprehensive analysis of technological advancements
in AI, its applications across sectors, the ethical and social challenges it presents,
and its future trajectory.

Automation

The fourth book, Automation and the Future of Competition between Man and
Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision, addresses the growing challenges
faced by the human workforce in the face of widespread automation and AI
applications. The book concludes that while automation presents a significant
challenge to the labor market, it simultaneously creates new opportunities. It
emphasizes the importance of preparing for this shift through skills development,
continuous education, and adopting economic and social policies that support the
workforce.

Prominent pavilion and active presence
The TRENDS’ pavilion at the Indonesia International Book Fair has attracted
numerous visitors, including academic researchers and officials, such as the
ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, and Turkey. Additionally,
chairpersons of Arab and Indonesian publishers’ associations, authors, publishers,
and students visited the pavilion. All were impressed with and praised TRENDS’ diverse, valuable publications. They also commended TRENDS’ active
international presence and ability to address global developments with rigorous
analytical research.
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali honored the esteemed guests, including
ambassadors of the UAE and Bahrain to Indonesia, Wedha Startesti Yudha,
Chairperson of the Indonesia International Book Fair Committee, Arys Hilman
Nugraha, Chairman of the Indonesian Publishers Association, and others,
presenting them with TRENDS’ publications and commemorative shields.
Additionally, he awarded TRENDS’ Research Medal to Ni Made Ayu Martini
Indonesian Deputy Minister of Marketing, Tourism and Creative Economy
It is worth noting that during its current Asian research tour, TRENDS announced
the launch of the TRENDS Research Medal, awarded to individuals who make
significant contributions to the development of scientific research and promote collaboration with TRENDS in strengthening a culture of research across various fields.

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US determined to prevent full-scale war in Middle East, Joe Biden tells UNGA79

US President Joe Biden highlighted the US Administration’s determination to prevent a wider war that engulfs the entire Middle East region, noting that a diplomatic solution “remains the only path to lasting security to allow the residents from both countries to return to their homes on the border safely”.

In remarks he made today before the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79), the US President said, “Full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest,” adding that a diplomatic solution is still possible.

He also touched on “the rise of violence against innocent Palestinians on the West Bank”, and the need to “set the conditions for a better future”, which he said featured “a two-state solution, where the world — where Israel enjoys security and peace and full recognition and normalised relations with all its neighbours, where Palestinians live in security, dignity, and self-determination in a state of their own”.

President Biden underscored the ceasefire and hostage deal put forth by Qatar and Egypt, which the UN Security Council endorsed. He said, “Now is the time for the parties to finalise its terms, bring the hostages home,” adding that this would help ease the suffering in Gaza, and end the war.

-WAM

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