President Sheikh Mohamed on Thursday held talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang at Abu Dhabi's Qasr Al Watan, aiming to further enhance ties.
They explored efforts to strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership in place between their nations since 2018.
Sheikh Mohamed stressed the importance of building on a 40-year alliance to support the development of the countries.
“I was pleased to meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Abu Dhabi today to discuss joint efforts to further enhance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between our countries,” Sheikh Mohamed wrote on social media. “The UAE is committed to building upon 40 years of deep-rooted co-operation with China to achieve enduring growth, development, and prosperity for our peoples.”
Sheikh Mohamed shared the social media message in Chinese, in a show of respect and friendship for one of the UAE's key partners on the global stage. The President and Mr Li reviewed the progress of bilateral co-operation across various sectors, including trade, investment, renewable energy and sustainability, as well as education and culture, state news agency Wam reported.
Sheikh Mohamed conveyed his appreciation of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s efforts towards strengthening ties, following his visit to China in May and highlighted the UAE's keenness to remain a strategic partner in the Belt and Road global infrastructure initiative.
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Li also discussed efforts aimed at achieving a ceasefire in Gaza and stressed the importance of working towards a comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution.
The Chinese Premier, who is on an official visit to the UAE, signed Qasr Al Watan’s VIP guest book, expressing his wishes for the UAE’s continued prosperity, and attended luncheon reception given by Sheikh Mohamed.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, hosted an official reception for the visiting delegation at Qasr Al Watan, during which the Chinese national anthem was played.
During a meeting at Zabeel Palace in Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed and Mr Li discussed the growing strategic partnership between the two countries and explored new avenues to expand ties. The talks also covered regional and international developments, especially in the Middle East, and highlighted the need for a comprehensive peace strategy.
In May, Sheikh Mohamed met Mr Xi in Beijing, during a two-day state visit.
He thanked Mr Xi for the warm reception received in China, and noted that relations between the countries go back further than the start of formal diplomatic relations in 1984, because China recognised the UAE’s nationhood days after its establishment in 1971.
Sheikh Mohamed also reflected on a visit by UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, to China in 1990. Images from the trip showed Sheikh Zayed visiting the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City in Beijing.
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
bundesliga results
Mainz 0 Augsburg 1 (Niederlechner 1')
Schalke 1 (Caligiuri pen 51') Bayer Leverkusen 1 (Miranda og 81')
Apple%20Mac%20through%20the%20years
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Important questions to consider
1. Where on the plane does my pet travel?
There are different types of travel available for pets:
- Manifest cargo
- Excess luggage in the hold
- Excess luggage in the cabin
Each option is safe. The feasibility of each option is based on the size and breed of your pet, the airline they are traveling on and country they are travelling to.
2. What is the difference between my pet traveling as manifest cargo or as excess luggage?
If traveling as manifest cargo, your pet is traveling in the front hold of the plane and can travel with or without you being on the same plane. The cost of your pets travel is based on volumetric weight, in other words, the size of their travel crate.
If traveling as excess luggage, your pet will be in the rear hold of the plane and must be traveling under the ticket of a human passenger. The cost of your pets travel is based on the actual (combined) weight of your pet in their crate.
3. What happens when my pet arrives in the country they are traveling to?
As soon as the flight arrives, your pet will be taken from the plane straight to the airport terminal.
If your pet is traveling as excess luggage, they will taken to the oversized luggage area in the arrival hall. Once you clear passport control, you will be able to collect them at the same time as your normal luggage. As you exit the airport via the ‘something to declare’ customs channel you will be asked to present your pets travel paperwork to the customs official and / or the vet on duty.
If your pet is traveling as manifest cargo, they will be taken to the Animal Reception Centre. There, their documentation will be reviewed by the staff of the ARC to ensure all is in order. At the same time, relevant customs formalities will be completed by staff based at the arriving airport.
4. How long does the travel paperwork and other travel preparations take?
This depends entirely on the location that your pet is traveling to. Your pet relocation compnay will provide you with an accurate timeline of how long the relevant preparations will take and at what point in the process the various steps must be taken.
In some cases they can get your pet ‘travel ready’ in a few days. In others it can be up to six months or more.
5. What vaccinations does my pet need to travel?
Regardless of where your pet is traveling, they will need certain vaccinations. The exact vaccinations they need are entirely dependent on the location they are traveling to. The one vaccination that is mandatory for every country your pet may travel to is a rabies vaccination.
Other vaccinations may also be necessary. These will be advised to you as relevant. In every situation, it is essential to keep your vaccinations current and to not miss a due date, even by one day. To do so could severely hinder your pets travel plans.
Source: Pawsome Pets UAE
MATCH INFO
England 241-3 (20 ovs)
Malan 130 no, Morgan 91
New Zealand 165 all out (16.5ovs)
Southee 39, Parkinson 4-47
England win by 76 runs
Series level at 2-2
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
