China represents the biggest state threat to the UK’s economic interests and is a systemic challenge for the world order, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told NBC on his trip to the US.
Mr Sunak said countries must take steps to protect themselves, as the US did when alarms were raised recently over Chinese spy balloons.
The incident and China’s behaviour in the South China Sea are concerning, he said.
He said the country was acting in ways that were not aligned with the values shared by the UK, US, Australia and other allies.
Mr Sunak also discussed his opinion on the origins of Covid-19 after recent reports from the FBI that it was "likely" to have come from a laboratory leak in China.
“There's clearly questions that need to be answered,” he said. “I'd certainly say that and we haven't ruled anything out at this stage.
“I think what we want to see and fully support is a proper scientific inquiry as to the origins and we would urge everyone, including China, co-operate with that investigation.”
Mr Sunak moved on to China's role in Russia's war in Ukraine, saying the country already gives crucial economic aid to Moscow.
Asked if he would support sanctions on China, Mr Sunak said: “I think with sanctions that it's always something that is best done co-ordinated with allies, because for sanctions to be effective we have to do them together.”
Current US-Chinese tension - in pictures
He said the UK would “accelerate and intensify” its support for Ukraine when asked if he will provide fighter jets to the war-torn nation, saying it is important that “they have an opportunity to have a decisive advantage on the battlefield".
Although France and Germany have suggested the war will end through negotiation, Mr Sunak said: “I think, ultimately, those decisions are for Ukraine to make.”
“Our job is to put them in the best possible position to make those decisions — we want to see Ukraine victorious.”
Mr Sunak said King Charles appointing him as Prime Minister was a very special moment in his life.
“Now I have the privilege of sitting down with him every week," he said. "Good discussions, great discussions, you know, he's trying to modernise the monarchy.”
TRAINING FOR TOKYO
A typical week's training for Sebastian, who is competing at the ITU Abu Dhabi World Triathlon on March 8-9:
- Four swim sessions (14km)
- Three bike sessions (200km)
- Four run sessions (45km)
- Two strength and conditioning session (two hours)
- One session therapy session at DISC Dubai
- Two-three hours of stretching and self-maintenance of the body
ITU Abu Dhabi World Triathlon
For more information go to www.abudhabi.triathlon.org.
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.
Medicus AI
Started: 2016
Founder(s): Dr Baher Al Hakim, Dr Nadine Nehme and Makram Saleh
Based: Vienna, Austria; started in Dubai
Sector: Health Tech
Staff: 119
Funding: €7.7 million (Dh31m)
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
More on Quran memorisation:
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
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
Other must-tries
Tomato and walnut salad
A lesson in simple, seasonal eating. Wedges of tomato, chunks of cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, coriander or parsley leaves, and perhaps some fresh dill are drizzled with a crushed walnut and garlic dressing. Do consider yourself warned: if you eat this salad in Georgia during the summer months, the tomatoes will be so ripe and flavourful that every tomato you eat from that day forth will taste lacklustre in comparison.
Badrijani nigvzit
A delicious vegetarian snack or starter. It consists of thinly sliced, fried then cooled aubergine smothered with a thick and creamy walnut sauce and folded or rolled. Take note, even though it seems like you should be able to pick these morsels up with your hands, they’re not as durable as they look. A knife and fork is the way to go.
Pkhali
This healthy little dish (a nice antidote to the khachapuri) is usually made with steamed then chopped cabbage, spinach, beetroot or green beans, combined with walnuts, garlic and herbs to make a vegetable pâté or paste. The mix is then often formed into rounds, chilled in the fridge and topped with pomegranate seeds before being served.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Tonight's Chat on The National
Tonight's Chat is a series of online conversations on The National. The series features a diverse range of celebrities, politicians and business leaders from around the Arab world.
Tonight’s Chat host Ricardo Karam is a renowned author and broadcaster who has previously interviewed Bill Gates, Carlos Ghosn, Andre Agassi and the late Zaha Hadid, among others.
Intellectually curious and thought-provoking, Tonight’s Chat moves the conversation forward.
Facebook | Our website | Instagram
