The summit aimed to enhance commercial and diplomatic ties between China and Arab countries. On the first day of the conference, investment agreements worth $10 billion were signed. The investment agreements covered various sectors such as technology, agriculture, renewable energy, real estate, natural resources, and tourism On 11th June 2023, the China-Arab business conference was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The meeting happened amidst the expanding commercial and diplomatic relationships between Beijing and Middle Eastern nations, including a recent historic reconciliation between regional powerhouses Iran and Saudi Arabia mediated by China that has changed regional relations. The summit aimed to enhance commercial and diplomatic ties between China and Arab countries. The event brought together over 3,500 government and business officials from both sides. On the first day of the conference, investment agreements worth $10 billion were signed. The majority of the investment deals were focused on projects in Saudi Arabia or involved Saudi firms and government entities. A significant portion of the $10 billion included a $5.6 billion memorandum of understanding between the Saudi investment ministry and Human Horizons, a Chinese electric and self-driving car manufacturer. Specific deals mentioned in the statement included a $533 million agreement between AMR ALuwlaa Company and Zhonghuan International Group for an iron factory in Saudi Arabia, Also, a $500 million cooperation agreement was signed on copper mining between Saudi ASK Group and the China National Geological & Mining Corp. Major deals in Major Sectors – Technology, Agriculture, Renewable Energy, Real Estate, Natural Resources and Tourism Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan highlighted the potential in increased trade and economic ties between China and Arab countries. “This meeting is an opportunity… to build a shared future towards a new, beneficial era for our peoples,” he said. He...

Afghan women’s safety and prosperity hang by a thread. With no education and work opportunities, they fear a dark present and future, debilitating mental health, and other innumerable crises. It seems that it is a never-ending ordeal for Afghan women. Prudent and sustained measures therefore are required to help the suppressed, vulnerable population. Under Taliban rule, Afghan women continue to face grave challenges that impede their progress, freedom, and economic prospects. Recent incidents, such as the poisoning of schoolgirls, serve as haunting reminders of the risks faced by those who dare to pursue education. The Taliban’s relentless opposition to girls’ schooling fosters an environment of fear and intimidation, perpetuating an unjust cycle of suppression. According to a report by Human Rights Watch, before the Taliban’s return to power, approximately 3.5 million girls were attending school in Afghanistan. However, since September 2021, girls’ schools for grades 6-12 remain closed. Besides education, the exclusion of women from the workforce represents a squandered potential that leaves Afghanistan bereft of diverse skills and talents. Before the Taliban resurgence, women comprised approximately 22% of the Afghan labor force, contributing to the country’s economic growth. However, the current ban on women working in NGOs, INGOs, and the UN exacerbates the challenges faced by Afghan communities. This ban not only restricts women’s economic opportunities but also hampers the delivery of crucial humanitarian aid. According to the United Nations, more than 18 million people in Afghanistan require humanitarian assistance, and the absence of women in key organizations impedes the targeted support needed for women and girls, perpetuating their suffering and undermining overall stability. Furthermore, the mental health crisis among Afghan women is alarming. According to a recent survey conducted by the Afghan Journalists Safety Committee, 80% of Afghan women suffer...

The recent developments with regard to the security situation in Afghanistan have serious implications not only for the region but for the world at large. It is in particular extremely worrying for the Afghan nationals who have been facing difficulties for more than four decades as a result of conflict, persistent natural disasters and chronic poverty. On 15 August 2021, the capital of Afghanistan, was taken over by Taliban forces, ending the war that began in 2001. The fall of Kabul raised serious concerns and mixed reactions across the globe. There were debates on how and why it happened, who should be blamed for the collapse, whether it was preplanned or just a coincidence and whether the world should recognize the Taliban as the legitimate rulers of Afghanistan or otherwise. The evacuation of those working for foreign organizations in Afghanistan began with the fall of Kabul and is still going on. On the other hand, thousands of illegal economic migrants predominantly youth are using risky and illegal ways to flee the country. In search of a better future, they are becoming victims of human traffickers every day. One such example of human trafficking is the recent incident in which many Afghans lost their lives en route to Bulgaria. They were suffocated to death in a container while they were being trafficked. The Afghan authorities reacted strongly after they received the coffins of those Afghans who lost their lives. It is a fact that the government is well aware of the sufferings of tens of thousands of Afghan youth who are hostages of the traffickers and that they are treated as slaves by them, but they pretend ignorance! Another major issue is widespread corruption in visa regulations, but the Taliban government considers it expedient to remain silent. Why are many families desperate to leave Afghanistan? The answer is that many parents who are worried about their children’s future particularly about the education of their daughters would like to leave...

Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu told Asia’s top security summit on Sunday (4th June 2023) that conflict with the United States would be an “unbearable disaster” but that his country sought dialogue over confrontation. It was his first significant international address since he was named China’s Minister of National Defence in March. “China and the US have different systems and are different in many other ways.” “However, this should not keep the two sides from seeking common ground and common interests to grow bilateral ties and deepen cooperation,” he said. “It is undeniable that a severe conflict or confrontation between China and the US will be an unbearable disaster for the world.” Li said, “China would not allow such freedom-of-navigation patrols by the United States and its allies to be “a pretext to exercise hegemony of navigation”. Li — sanctioned by the United States in 2018 over weapons purchases from Russia — shook hands with US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin earlier at the summit but they have not had a deeper discussion, despite repeated US demands for more military exchanges. After Li’s speech, retired veteran Chinese diplomat Cui Tiankai urged the United States to ease military deployments close to China in an act of “good faith” if high-level defence talks between the two superpowers are to resume. This article originally appeared in www.dawn.com/ June 04 2023 . Original link.  

Elon Musk, a product of the American capitalist system doing business with Communist China. Simply put businesses don’t care about politics and ideologies. Mr. Musk is smart enough to know that after the U.S., China is the largest market for his Tesla electric vehicles, and he has plans to further capitalize on this market. Amid ongoing US-China tensions, and after three years, the multi-billionaire and Chairman and owner of Tesla Motors and Twitter, Mr. Elon Musk, recently visited China on 30th May 2023 for a three-day trip. A visionary American entrepreneur and one of the richest in the world, the visit was purely private and business-like. Upon his arrival, he received a warm reception with full protocol from Chinese government officials. He was also scheduled to visit Tesla’s massive production plant in Shanghai, and he spoke with China’s Foreign Minister Qin Gang shortly after his arrival. It is believed he also met with Chinese Minister of Industry Jin Zhuanglong later that day. Musk’s unannounced trip was the latest by a major U.S. CEO to China since the country reversed its zero-COVID policy and reopened its borders. Elon Musk is visiting Communist China! What’s going on?   A caption circulating as stated in a series of tweets that have gone viral since then. You can imagine the American public’s reaction when photographs of his visit and meetings with high-level government officials appeared in the media, utter confusion, with Americans trying to figure out what exactly is going on. A product and idol of the American capitalist system doing business with Communist China? Simply put businesses and big bucks don’t care about politics and ideologies. Mr. Musk is smart enough to know that after the U.S., China is the largest market for his Tesla electric vehicles, and he has plans to further capitalize on this market. In a statement, the Chinese foreign ministry quoted Musk, as comparing US-China interests to conjoined twins and as saying Tesla opposed...

In a significant development aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and promoting regional connectivity, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan jointly inaugurated two important infrastructural projects at their shared border on May 18, 2023. The projects inaugurated were the Pishin-Mand Joint Border Marketplace and the Polan-Gabed Power Transmission Line. The inauguration ceremony was attended by H.E. Seyed Ebrahim Raisi, the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and H.E. Mohammad Shahbaz Sharif, the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, along with other high-ranking officials from both countries. This event marks a historic meeting between the officials of the two nations and holds great significance for the people residing in the border regions. The projects’ launch is the result of the determined efforts of the authorities of both Iran and Pakistan, as well as the consistent work carried out by the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Pakistan under the leadership of former Ambassador H.E. Seyed Mohammad Ali Hosseini. The completion of these projects underscores the commitment to enhancing economic and trade relations between the two neighboring countries. The Pishin-Mand Joint Border Marketplace is expected to facilitate formal trade, boost bilateral trade volumes, and combat smuggling activities. The marketplace aims to foster entrepreneurship among both men and women, creating economic opportunities for the youth in the region. It is anticipated to improve welfare, upgrade living conditions, and contribute to sustainable development in the area. The Polan-Gabed Power Transmission Line is a vital infrastructure project that will provide a stable and economical supply of electricity to various sectors in Pakistan, including industry, agriculture, and services. The transmission line will enhance power accessibility for households and reduce the frequency of power outages, thereby bolstering economic activities...

Nearly all Afghan citizens endure impoverished living conditions, and millions require urgent aid to survive, with six million children facing famine. Insufficient funding and the Taliban’s repressive policies pose immense challenges to aid delivery, necessitating a delicate balance between providing assistance and addressing human rights violations. While the world only looks at the Taliban as a hardliner group pushing their country into regression, Afghanistan remains ensnared in one of the world’s most devastating humanitarian crises. In the words of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, “The gravity of the situation in Afghanistan is of immense significance and should not be underestimated. Presently, it represents the most substantial humanitarian crisis globally. Nearly all Afghan citizens, amounting to ninety-seven percent, endure impoverished living conditions. Moreover, a significant portion of the population, totaling twenty-eight million people, will require humanitarian aid in order to survive this year. Among them, six million Afghan children, women, and men are on the brink of experiencing conditions resembling famine. Concurrently, financial support for addressing this crisis is rapidly diminishing.” The United Nations’ Humanitarian Response Plan, which seeks $4.6 billion in funding, has received an inadequate amount of $294 million, equivalent to a mere 6.4 percent of the total funds required. Shockingly, two-thirds of the population struggles with food insecurity, thrusting 875,000 children into the clutches of acute malnutrition. Moreover, the plight of women and girls exacerbates the dire circumstances. This ongoing crisis has thrust the United Nations into a delicate balancing act. On one hand, they must ensure aid reaches those in desperate need, while on the other, they must apply relentless pressure on the Taliban to halt their abhorrent human rights violations. The initial crisis erupted when international aid abruptly dwindled after the...