Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday on an official visit to forge closer ties with Riyadh and Arab states.
He will stay until Saturday to attend the inaugural China-Arab States Summit and to meet GCC leaders at the China-Gulf conference in the capital, Riyadh.
He said he was "happy" to visit the kingdom for the first time since 2016 and extended his "sincere greetings and best wishes" to the government and people.
"King Salman and I are leading bilateral relations to achieve great development and have strongly contributed to the promotion of peace, stability, prosperity and development in the region," he said, adding he was looking forward to the coming summits.
It is only his third overseas visit since the outbreak of Covid-19, which has heavily affected China's international trade due to strict entry requirements to the country. The measures are part of a wider policy known as zero Covid, which has involved sweeping, last-minute lockdowns that in some cases lasted weeks and even months.
But China's coronavirus rules were eased significantly on Wednesday, restoring some confidence to international investors.
Saudi jets spewing white and green smoke accompanied the Air China flight carrying Mr Xi as it approached Riyadh. Later, seven more jets conducted a fly-past in China's colours of red and yellow.
Mr Xi smiled gently as he waved from the door of the plane, then slowly descended the carpeted steps to meet the welcoming committee. Many of the dignitaries and staff at the airport wore masks as protection against Covid-19.
Mr Xi was met by Riyadh governor Prince Faisal bin Bandar Al Saud, Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and the governor of sovereign wealth fund PIF, Yasir Al Rumayyan.
King Salman invited Mr Xi “in order to strengthen the historical relations and distinguished strategic partnership that unites the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the People's Republic of China”, the state-run Saudi Press Agency said before the visit.
Economic and development co-operation will be discussed, it added.
Chinese flags were hoisted along major roads in Riyadh, while Mr Xi was pictured on the front pages of newspapers that highlighted the trip's potential economic benefits.
Mr Xi’s attendance at the China-Arab States Summit marks the “largest and highest-level diplomatic event between China and the Arab world since the founding of the People’s Republic of China”, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Wednesday.
The summit marks a turning point for bilateral relations with Saudi Arabia, the ministry said.
The two countries will sign deals worth more than $29.3 billion during the visit, said SPA.
A number of agreements are already in the works, including the signing of a memorandum of understanding between King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Centre and China’s Economics and Technology Research Institute.
The think tanks will exchange information and conduct research together around energy, economics and climate change.
“We see a lot of common interest and alignment between China’s and Saudi Arabia's position when it comes to energy and climate. We both understand and reiterate the idea of common but differentiated responsibility when it comes to climate change,” Kapsarc’s president Fahad Alajlan said in a statement.
“As important energy producers and consumers in the world, China and Saudi Arabia play an important role in maintaining the stability of the international energy market, addressing climate change and promoting the realisation of energy green transformation goals,” added Etri's president Yu Guo.
China's ambassador to the kingdom has said the Riyadh summits, chaired by the leaders of the kingdom, China, the Gulf and Arab countries, will “enhance the interests of humanity”.
China's consul in Jeddah, Tan Banglin, said China's commitment to developing relations with Arab countries was based on five principles: Non-aggression, non-interference in internal affairs, mutual benefit, equality and peaceful coexistence.
"It is certain that the three summits will result in decisions that contribute to advancing and supporting joint Chinese-Arab co-operation in the fields of oil and natural gas [and] renewable energy," he said.
"China will also push for the implementation of the Global Security Initiative, through which it works with Arab countries to adhere to the concept of integrated and sustainable common security, and adhere to the principle of resolving disputes and conflicts between countries through peaceful means."
The US has commented on the visit, saying that Beijing is attempting to grow its influence around the world, describing the visit as "certainly not a surprise".
"We are mindful of the influence that China is trying to grow around the world," John Kirby, the National Security Council's co-ordinator for strategic communications, said in a statement. "The Middle East is certainly one of those regions where they want to deepen their level of influence,
"We believe that many of the things they're trying to pursue and the manner in which they are trying to pursue it are not conducive to preserving the rules based international order that the United States and our vast network of allies and partners are trying to preserve.
"We remain focused on our national security interests and our partnerships in the Middle East. That hasn't changed," he added. "Saudi Arabia is one of those strategic partners, it has been for 80 years and that partnership continues.
"We are not asking nations to choose between the United States and China."
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
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- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The view from The National
RESULTS
4pm: Al Bastakiya Listed US$250,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
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5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Conditions $200,000 (Turf) 1,200m
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6.20pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 $300,000 (T) 1,800m
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6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 $400,000 (D) 2,000m
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7.30pm: Dubai City of Gold Group 2 $250,000 (T) 2,410m
Winner: Hawkbill, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog
Hometown: Birchgrove, Sydney Australia
Age: 59
Favourite TV series: Outlander Netflix series
Favourite place in the UAE: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque / desert / Louvre Abu Dhabi
Favourite book: Father of our Nation: Collected Quotes of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
Thing you will miss most about the UAE: My friends and family, Formula 1, having Friday's off, desert adventures, and Arabic culture and people
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What is Reform?
Reform is a right-wing, populist party led by Nigel Farage, a former MEP who won a seat in the House of Commons last year at his eighth attempt and a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union.
It was founded in 2018 and originally called the Brexit Party.
Many of its members previously belonged to UKIP or the mainstream Conservatives.
After Brexit took place, the party focused on the reformation of British democracy.
Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson became its first MP after defecting in March 2024.
The party gained support from Elon Musk, and had hoped the tech billionaire would make a £100m donation. However, Mr Musk changed his mind and called for Mr Farage to step down as leader in a row involving the US tycoon's support for far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson who is in prison for contempt of court.
Cultural fiesta
What: The Al Burda Festival
When: November 14 (from 10am)
Where: Warehouse421, Abu Dhabi
The Al Burda Festival is a celebration of Islamic art and culture, featuring talks, performances and exhibitions. Organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, this one-day event opens with a session on the future of Islamic art. With this in mind, it is followed by a number of workshops and “masterclass” sessions in everything from calligraphy and typography to geometry and the origins of Islamic design. There will also be discussions on subjects including ‘Who is the Audience for Islamic Art?’ and ‘New Markets for Islamic Design.’ A live performance from Kuwaiti guitarist Yousif Yaseen should be one of the highlights of the day.
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
SPECS
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Normcore explained
Something of a fashion anomaly, normcore is essentially a celebration of the unremarkable. The term was first popularised by an article in New York magazine in 2014 and has been dubbed “ugly”, “bland’ and "anti-style" by fashion writers. It’s hallmarks are comfort, a lack of pretentiousness and neutrality – it is a trend for those who would rather not stand out from the crowd. For the most part, the style is unisex, favouring loose silhouettes, thrift-shop threads, baseball caps and boyish trainers. It is important to note that normcore is not synonymous with cheapness or low quality; there are high-fashion brands, including Parisian label Vetements, that specialise in this style. Embraced by fashion-forward street-style stars around the globe, it’s uptake in the UAE has been relatively slow.
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RESULTS
5pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner: Samau Xmnsor, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Ottoman, Szczepan Mazur, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Sharkh, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 85,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Yaraa, Fernando Jara, Majed Al Jahouri
7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Maaly Al Reef, Bernardo Pinheiro, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Jinjal, Fabrice Veron, Ahmed Al Shemaili
8pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Al Sail, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
A cheaper choice
Vanuatu: $130,000
Why on earth pick Vanuatu? Easy. The South Pacific country has no income tax, wealth tax, capital gains or inheritance tax. And in 2015, when it was hit by Cyclone Pam, it signed an agreement with the EU that gave it some serious passport power.
Cost: A minimum investment of $130,000 for a family of up to four, plus $25,000 in fees.
Criteria: Applicants must have a minimum net worth of $250,000. The process take six to eight weeks, after which the investor must travel to Vanuatu or Hong Kong to take the oath of allegiance. Citizenship and passport are normally provided on the same day.
Benefits: No tax, no restrictions on dual citizenship, no requirement to visit or reside to retain a passport. Visa-free access to 129 countries.
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."
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
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- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
NBA FINALS SO FAR
(Toronto lead 3-2 in best-of-seven series)
Game 1 Raptors 118 Warriors 109
Game 2 Raptors 104 Warriors 109
Game 3 Warriors 109 Raptors 123
Game 4 Warriors 92 Raptors 105
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Game 6 Thursday, at Oakland
Game 7 Sunday, at Toronto (if needed)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The story of Edge
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, established Edge in 2019.
It brought together 25 state-owned and independent companies specialising in weapons systems, cyber protection and electronic warfare.
Edge has an annual revenue of $5 billion and employs more than 12,000 people.
Some of the companies include Nimr, a maker of armoured vehicles, Caracal, which manufactures guns and ammunitions company, Lahab
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