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TRAVEL: 24 hours in Calais by Reza Amirinia

Calais is not just a place to purchase cheap cigarettes and alcohol in its hyper-markets. I have passed through Calais many times while on my way to Paris or French Riviera … writes Mohammed Reza Amirinia

Calais is one of the most frequently used gateway to Europe for British travellers. A city which has often been ignored by tourists. Calais, unlike Dover, its equivalent on the other side of the channel, is a serious travel destination with many hidden treasures.

Calais is not just a place to purchase cheap cigarettes and alcohol in its hyper-markets. I have passed through Calais many times while on my way to Paris or French Riviera. This was the first time that I could experience Calais for 24 hours. I was surprised to learn what I have missed and it’s really not very far from London. Calais has a lot to offer to visitors including golden sandy beaches, beautiful landscapes, fine restaurants and historical settings.

A still from Calais – Images © Mohammad Reza Amirinia

Standing at the Cap Blanc Nez, 15 Km from Calais port near Sangatte in the Pas-de-Calais, you would be in the shortest distance across the strait of Dover between England and France. The distance is only 34 Km. On a clear day, you can see the white cliffs of Dover from the hilltop of Cap Blanc Nez. Since ancient times, the headland of Cap Blanc Nez has been known as an important site of observation for sailors and border patrol. The landmark also played an important task during the two world wars.

On the top of Cap Blanc Nez, a granite pillar monument in the memory of Dover Patrol during the First World War has been erected in 1921. Two other similar obelisks are standing in Dover and Brooklyn, New York.  The Cap Blanc Nez at the 134-meter high is the most northerly cliff in France. The landscape is a great place for a day trip, hiking and gazing at the sea.  You can also discover on the cliff side German bunkers that remain from the second World War.

I checked in to the Metropol Hotel and then started my exploration of Calais with a visit to the Town hall. This 20th Century building has a 75-meter high belfry that has been designed in a renaissance revival style and looks like a historical structure. The building was designed in the memory of municipal merger of Calais and Saint-Pierre in 1885 and placed between the two towns.

A still from Calais – Images © Mohammad Reza Amirinia

Inside Town Hall there is a large ceremonial hall, wedding reception room, meeting room and the mayor’s office, which is on the second floor. As you climb the stairs to the second floor, a large stained-glass window depicts the story of the liberation of Calais from the English. The guide explained it in detail. The belfry, a registered UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a major landmark in Calais. Climbing to the observation platform via stairs or a lift to the top of the tower would give you a panoramic view of the city. There are also working models of the port of Calais on display.

I had a snack and coffee at L’authentic Joe café restaurant at Rue Neuve located in Centre Commercial Coeur De Vie in Calais, before strolling in the city. It was a short walk opposite the commercial centre to the pedestrian street of Rue Charost. The balloon installation by the Portuguese artist Patricia Cunha has created a multi-colour design hanging over Rue Charost. I reach Boulevard la Fayette looking at the same colourful balloon installation decorating the sky of the main street of Calais. The Grand Theater de Calais stands at the crossing of Bd la Fayette and Bd Pasteur.

A tour of the seafront and sandy beaches of Calais is not to be missed. As I walked along the beach, enjoying the calm view of the sea, I was amazed to see a giant creature moving along the beach front. La Compagnie du Dragon represents the majestic mechanical beastiary of a dragon. This mechanical animal is 12 meters high and 25 meters long and made of steel and wood. It has been innovated by François Delaroziere. The gigantic model of the Dragon looks so real, as it moves its ears, eyelids and tongue. It sprays water and fire now and then. You can step into the tail of this giant machine, climb the stairs to sit onboard for a forty-five minutes adventure along the promenade. As the dragon starts moving a guide explains the story behind its design. A team of 6 people control and drives the dragon. I found it an interesting experience to relax onboard viewing the glory of the sea.

A still from Calais – Images © Mohammad Reza Amirinia

I ended my day by having dinner at Aquaraile restaurant near Calais port. I enjoyed my dinner while watching a panoramic view of the sea from large windows from the fourth floor of the building, looking at ships embarking from the port. There are many restaurants in Calais offering excellent seafood. I ordered a vegetable soup made with parsley for my starter. I followed this with the main course, cod fish with potatoes and broccoli. Aquaraile also offers an excellent cheese board to meet most tastes. I ended my dinner with dessert and mint tea while watching the sunset. The scenery was a colourful explosion of light and tint as the sun faded away on the horizon.

I was lucky to witness Fête de la Musique in Calais which happens every year on the 21st of June, the symbolic day of the summer solstice. The annual event is a music celebration throughout the territory of Hauts-de-France with free performances of all kinds. I went to the city centre. There were many stands with DJs playing hip hop, pop and jazz outside shops and restaurants across Rue Royale. The celebration was extended to Place d’Armes, a large square at the centre of the town where the 13th-century watch tower of Tour du Guet stands. A monument of Yvonne and Charles De Gaulle has also been erected in the square. The festival was going to continue till morning, but I needed my sleep and could not stay longer.

A still from Calais – Images © Mohammad Reza Amirinia

In the morning after breakfast, I checked out of the hotel and headed to visit La Coupole. I was interested in learning more about the history of World War II in France and German remains around Calais. Calais was a very strategic place for Germans to launch an attack on Britain. In 1943 the Germans built La Coupole, an impressive bunker to launch the V2 missiles against Britain. This historic site was built in the Pas-de-Calais department, about 5 kilometres from Saint-Omer, and 40 Kilometres from Calais Port. This innovative centre was never used because Germans could not complete it on time as the site was heavily bombarded by Allied forces. The site was renovated in 1997 and turned into a museum to tell the story of the German occupation of France including the V weapons, various missiles and space exploration. Arriving at the museum and before entering the tunnel, the view of the grey dome of La Coupole is a solemn reminder of this mighty destructive military site. 

I entered a huge dark tunnel with high ceiling leading to winding smaller tunnels. There are smaller inner sections displaying the exhibits about La Couple and certain machinery which was used in building the bunker. Going through the tunnels reminds me of war movies. I highly recommend it to those who like to get in-depth information about World War II.

A still from Calais – Images © Mohammad Reza Amirinia

My exploration of Calais wouldn’t be complete without visiting the Calais Museum of Lace and Fashion. It was a great educational experience to learn about the origins of lace-making in Calais. The museum is housed in an old lace factory. The story of lace in Calais goes back to the early nineteenth century when a group of tulle makers immigrated from Nottingham (famous for its lace making) to Calais. They smuggled machinery from England and set up their lace-making business. Their business flourished and soon become an important trade on the continent. Old machines are still in operation. The visitor can observe lace making and hear the musical sound of machines. 

The museum illustrates the history of lace making with displays of handmade examples through to products made by machine. There are also fashion exhibits of various clothes using lace.     

I enjoyed my 24 hours visit to Calais. I hope to return in the future and explore more of this amazing city. I took the DFDS ferry back to Dover enjoying the benefits of their premium lounge.

More Information:

  • For information about Calais visit Calais Tourist office.
  • DFDS Ferries has frequent daily sailings from Dover to Calais and offers prices from £70 each way for a car including four people. You can upgrade for the premium lounge at a price of £12 per person each way.

Images and story © Mohammad Reza Amirinia

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-Top News Asia News

Shehbaz to meet Xi, CPEC expansion on agenda

Shehbaz Sharif is among the first batch of foreign leaders to visit China after the conclusion of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in Beijing…reports Asian Lite News

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he expected to further deepen strategic relations and enhance trade and business ties with China during his upcoming visit, media reported.

“I hope the visit will result in further cementing our strategic relations and enhancing business and trade with China,” he told China Global Television Network (CGTN) in an interview.

The prime minister is scheduled to begin an official visit to China on November 1. It is his first visit to China since he took office in April. The prime minister said he would also discuss expanding the role of CPEC under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Delegates to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China – Xi Jinping.(photo:Xinhua/IANS)

Shehbaz Sharif is among the first batch of foreign leaders to visit China after the conclusion of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in Beijing, The News reported.

“I feel really honoured and deeply touched and it’s very heartwarming to know that I am one of the first leaders from the world visiting my brotherly and friendly country China. That shows and reflects the depth of our friendship and strength of our understanding and our bond,” he added.

The prime minister said that he looks forward to his talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang and Chinese leadership to enhance cooperation in various fields.

About CPEC which has entered a high-quality second phase, he said that the flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has transformed the energy sector and infrastructure in Pakistan. The road network constructed under CPEC in all parts of the country has shortened the travelling time and now people could easily reach from one place to another, he added.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday said Pakistan wanted to expand trade and investment ties with China by making an optimal use of the second phase of China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement and by enhancing industrial cooperation, The News reported.

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-Top News USA

US SC may end affirmative action in university admissions

Nine states have banned affirmative action at public universities including California, where voters did so in a ballot proposition in 1996 and rebuffed an attempt to revive the policy…reports Asian Lite News

The United States Supreme Court is set to hear a controversial issue on Monday — the use of race in deciding who gets admitted to some of America’s top universities.

And the conservative-dominated court may be poised to make another historic U-turn, like it did in June when it overturned the landmark 1973 “Roe v. Wade” decision guaranteeing a woman’s right to abortion, the AFP reported.

The court is to hear two hours of oral arguments on the use of race in admissions to Harvard and the University of North Carolina (UNC) — respectively the oldest private and public institutions of higher education in the country.

According to AFP report, Harvard and UNC, like a number of other competitive schools, use race as a factor in trying to ensure representation of minorities, historically African Americans, in the student body.

The policy known as “affirmative action” emerged from the Civil Rights Movement in the late 1960s to “help address our country’s long history of discrimination and systemic inequality in higher education,” said Yasmin Cader, deputy legal director at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), it was reported.

Nine states have banned affirmative action at public universities including California, where voters did so in a ballot proposition in 1996 and rebuffed an attempt to revive the policy in 2020, it was reported.

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-Top News USA

Two men acquitted of Malcolm X killing to get $36m

The two men, Muhammad Aziz and Khalil Islam, both spent over 20 years in prison for Malcolm X’s murder, which they always maintained they did not commit….reports Asian Lite News

The two men, who were exonerated after wrongly convicted in the 1965 assassination of human rights activist Malcolm X, will receive $36 million from the city and state of New York, their lawyer confirmed Sunday night.

Malcolm X was gunned down on February 21, 1965, at the Audubon Ballroom in New York City while he was addressing a gathering.

“The tragedy of Malcolm X’s murder was felt all over the world, and compounded by the fact that it led to the convictions and imprisonment of two innocent, young, Black men in America,” their lawyer David Shanies said in an emailed statement to AFP.

The two men, Muhammad Aziz and Khalil Islam, both spent over 20 years in prison for Malcolm X’s murder, which they always maintained they did not commit.

They were released in the mid-1980s, but it was not until November 2021 that their names were fully cleared by the New York State Supreme Court, which called their convictions almost a half-century ago “a failure of justice”, it was reported.

“Today we acknowledge that injustice and take a modest step toward rectifying it,” AFP quoted Shanies as saying.

He confirmed a report from the New York Times that the city of New York will pay $26 million to be split between 84-year-old Muhammad Aziz and the family of Islam, who died in 2009.

The state government of New York will also pay five million dollars each, for a total of $36 million in compensation.

The two and a third man named Mujahid Abdul Halim were convicted of murder in 1966 and sentenced to life in prison.

Halim, now 81 and released from prison in 2010, confessed to the murder but maintained the innocence of the other two.

In November last year, Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance together with Shanies Law Office and non-profit legal organisation Innocence Project moved to vacate the convictions and dismiss the indictments of Aziz and Islam.

A two-year re-investigation found that the two didn’t receive a fair trial as New York Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation withheld exculpatory evidence that would have likely led to their acquittal.

Vance said in the court: “I apologise for what were serious, unacceptable violations of the law and the public trust. I apologise on behalf of our nation’s law enforcement for this decades-long injustice, which has eroded public faith in institutions that are designed to guarantee the equal protection of the law.

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-Top News Canada

Trudeau joins rally in support of Iran protests

Protests have swept through the Islamic Republic for weeks following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died on September 16 after being detained by “morality police”…reports Asian Lite News

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has marched with protesters in Ottawa in support of protests that have swept Iran for more than 40 days after September 16 death of Mahsa Amini in the custody of Iran’s morality police.

Standing in front of a white banner covered with dozens of red hand prints, Trudeau said: “The women in Iran, daughters and the grandmothers and the allies… they are not forgotten.”

 “We will stand with you. I’ll march with you, I will hold hands with you. We will continue to stand with this beautiful community,” Trudeau said, before ending his speech by shouting Persian slogans, his fist raised, the AFP reported.

Protests have swept through the Islamic Republic for weeks following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died on September 16 after being detained by “morality police” and taken to a “re-education center,” allegedly for not abiding by the country’s conservative dress code.

Meanwhile, Trudeau’s wife, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, also joined the protest, saying, “I stand with you because when one woman’s right is being denied, it is a sign of disrespect for all women.”

“And we will leave no sister behind.”

Violent clashes erupt

Iranian students clashed with security forces at universities across Iran on Sunday, according to the country’s activist and human rights groups.

Sunday’s violence came as nationwide protests gripped the country despite threats from the country’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, reported CNN.

The Guard’s chief, Hossein Salami had warned young Iranians that Saturday would be the last day of the protests.

On Saturday Salami called on Iranian young people specifically to desist from protesting, reported CNN.

“Today is the last day of the riots. Do not come to the streets again. What do you want from this nation?” Salami said.

protests in Iran.(Photo:iranhr.net)

In a video obtained by CNN via the pro-reform activist outlet Iran Wire, two uniformed officers can be seen in what appears to be an attempt to arrest a protester. The video is said to be recorded at Sanandaj Technical College in northwestern Iran.

In the capital Tehran, activist groups claimed clashes broke out between protesters, members of the Basij militia and police officers in plain clothes at Azad University but CNN cannot independently verify whether those in the clashes are security forces.

In a video posted by activist group 1500 tasvir, a large crowd of protesters can be seen, with some holding sticks. Tear gas appears to be thrown across the crowd but it’s unclear who it is thrown by.

In another video obtained by CNN via the pro-reform activist outlet IranWire, students at another university in the capital, the University of Tehran can be seen marching and chanting: “It’s not the time for mourning. It’s time for anger.”

Official state news agency IRNA reported a “large gathering” of students and professors at the University of Tehran “in response to the recent events and terrorist attack on the shrine of “Shahcheragh,” which took place in the southern city of Shiraz on Wednesday.

Also, in Sanandaj, gunshots can be heard in a video posted by Kurdish rights group Hengaw, said to be recorded near the University of Kurdistan.

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-Top News USA

Trump Organization faces criminal tax fraud trial over perks

If convicted, the Trump Organization could be fined more than $1 million and could face difficulty in securing new loans and deals…reports Asian Lite News

For years, as Donald Trump was soaring from reality TV star to the White House, his real estate empire was bankrolling big perks for some of his most trusted senior executives, including apartments and luxury cars.

Now Trump’s company, the Trump Organization, is on trial this week for criminal tax fraud — on the hook for what prosecutors say was a 15-year scheme by top officials to hide the plums and avoid paying taxes.

Opening statements and the first witnesses are expected Monday in New York. Last week, 12 jurors and six alternates were picked for the case, the only criminal trial to arise from the Manhattan district attorney’s three-year investigation of the former president.

Among the key prosecution witnesses: Trump’s longtime finance chief Allen Weisselberg, who pleaded guilty and has agreed to testify against the company in exchange for a five-month jail sentence.

If convicted, the Trump Organization could be fined more than $1 million and could face difficulty in securing new loans and deals. Some partners and government entities could seek to cut ties with the company. It could also hamper its ability to do business with the U.S. Secret Service, which sometimes pays the company for lodging and services while protecting Trump as a former president.

Neither Trump nor any of his children who have worked as Trump Organization executives are charged or accused of wrongdoing. Trump is not expected to testify or even attend the trial.

Prosecutors have said they do not need to prove Trump knew about the scheme to get a conviction and that the case is “not about Donald Trump.” But a defense lawyer, William J. Brennan, said even if he’s not physically there, Trump is “ever present, like the mist in the room.”

That’s because Trump is synonymous with the Trump Organization, the entity through which he manages his many ventures, including his investments in golf courses, luxury towers and other real estate, his many marketing deals and his TV pursuits.

Trump signed some of the checks at the center of the case. His name is on memos and other company documents. Witnesses could testify about conversations they had with Trump. They are even expected to enter Trump’s personal general ledgers as evidence.

Prosecutors say The Trump Organization — through its subsidiaries Trump Corp. and Trump Payroll Corp. — is liable in part because former Weisselberg was a “high managerial agent” entrusted to act on behalf of the company and its various entities.

The Trump Organization has said it did nothing wrong. The company’s lawyers argue that Weisselberg and other executives acted on their own and that, if anything, their actions harmed the company financially.

Weisselberg, who has pleaded guilty to taking $1.7 million in off-the-books compensation, pinned blame on himself and other top Trump Organization executives, including senior vice president and controller Jeffrey McConney.

But he disagreed with the notion that the company was harmed, saying the perks actually saved the company money because it avoiding having to give raises.

Prosecutors have said they expect to call 15 witnesses, including Weisselberg and McConney, who was granted limited immunity to testify last year before a grand jury.

Judge Juan Manuel Merchan expects the trial to take at least four weeks, though a defense lawyer estimated last week that the prosecution case alone could go on for two months. Court will meet for a full day on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursday and for a half-day on Friday. The trial is off on Wednesday so the judge can attend to other matters.

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-Top News China

Xi Jinping has his way

The way Xi asserted that China’s zero-COVID policy was good for the economy and did not make any reference to the hardships faced by the people, raised the call of ‘shared prosperity’ through increased employment-based income, self dependence in high tech field and startups and reiterated China’s willingness to use force to incorporate Taiwan into the People’s Republic, writes D.C. Pathak

The outcome of the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP ) that began on October 16 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing has already been signalled by the report drawn up by the 19th Central Committee in which it was claimed that China had under the leadership of Xi Jinping as CCP General Secretary, marched ahead on multiple fronts – from economic policy to international relations – in pursuit of ‘the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation’ and has done so amid increasing pressures on China posed by complex geopolitical developments.

Presenting this report himself, Xi Jinping claimed that during the ‘extremely unusual and extraordinary’ spell of last five years that witnessed ‘big changes not seen for a century’, the party achieved ‘historic victories’ such as reaching the CCP’s centennial goal of establishing a ‘moderately prosperous society’ and eliminating ‘extreme poverty’.

He declared that a new ‘central task’ was to achieve the ‘second centenary goal of building China into a great modern Socialist country in all respects’ through a ‘Chinese path to modernisation’ and indicated that he sought to realise that aim by 2035 itself – much before the goal of getting there by the 100th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of Chins in 2049 was first set.

The way Xi asserted that China’s zero-COVID policy was good for the economy and did not make any reference to the hardships faced by the people, raised the call of ‘shared prosperity’ through increased employment-based income, self dependence in high tech field and startups and reiterated China’s willingness to use force to incorporate Taiwan into the People’s Republic, his message was one of assuring the people that China is moving forward on a steady note despite all odds and warning the nation at the same time, of the darker times ahead.

The report acknowledged the Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) as an instrument for advancing China’s opening towards the outside world but emphasised that security was now on top of the agenda . Xi pointed out that ‘China is now in a period where strategic opportunity and risks and challenges co- exist’.

The work report presented by Xi Jinping showed his confidence about continuing with a third term- and beyond – as it made repeated references to the ‘centralisation’ and ‘unity’ of the party’s top leadership as a process that will continue into the future, resolved to keep up the fight to counter corruption and ideologically indoctrinate China’s people and declared that China must be ready to withstand ‘high winds, choppy waters and even dangerous storms’.

Xi Jinping has been successful in stamping out dissent, consolidating his control on the party and projecting himself as the saviour of the nation against new global threats. He combines the traits of Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping and remembers the lessons that China had to draw from the demise of USSR. The Soviets had deviated from Democratic Centrism or one party rule that was the essence of Marxism and had allowed a closed economy to deteriorate amid the corruption of an oligarchy.

Xi Jinping kept up the Deng Xiaoping’s approach of opening the Chinese economy to the world in a controlled way, but reverted to making the party singularly strong as was done by Mao Zedong.

Many Chinese people were convinced that just as Mao united their country and Deng helped it prosper, Xi’s foreign policy will make China great again by attending to both national security and economic advancement.

Xi told the 20th Party Congress that the Chinese people will never allow any foreign forces to bully, oppress or enslave them and announced that ‘the party leads in all spheres of the nation- government, army, society, academia, east, west, north, south and centre’.

The 19th Central Committee report significantly contended that ‘leadership of CPP is the fundamental feature and the greatest advantage for Socialism’.

The 19th national Congress had not only centred round the theme of the ‘Chinese dream’ but had seen Xi as a ‘leader’ who would bring the party to the centre of everything in China and head nearly every critical organisation. The notion of collective leadership on China was effectively ended and the idea of ‘core leader’ was brought back after some 30 years.

The speech of Xi at the 20th national Congress of CPP was just half as long as the one delivered by him at the last one, indicating a mindset of confidence that the agenda will be carried through as fixed. It is therefore not a surprise that he is – apart from becoming the General Secretary of the party for an unprecedented third term – recognised now as the ‘core leader’ giving him parity with Mao Zedong. Xi is glorified as a restorer whose ‘thoughts on Socialism with Chinese characteristics for a New Era’ is today’s equivalent of Mao’s little Red Book.

Xi’s new status and his thoughts were incorporated in the party’ Constitution. In 2018, at the instance of Xi, the party had lifted the embargo of two terms for the post of President and Xi is set to continue in that position too – his affirmation about achieving the next centennial goal of the party by 2035 showing his aspiration to be around in the supreme position for many more years.

The Chinese President has corrected the earlier strategy of pursuing the economic route to becoming a superpower to place an equal emphasis on military advancement. He announced that he intended making PLA a fully modernised and restructured force by 2027. He repeatedly spoke of China’s defence of its territorial boundaries, made it a point to specially invite the PLA commander of Galwan to the national Congress and declared that he wanted a more muscular, aggressive and fighting China to deal with the situation ahead.

As the signs appear of a new Cold War developing between the US and China on Taiwan and Indo- Pacific, Xi is bracing to deal with the opponents led by the US.

A volunteer works at a nucleic acid testing site in Sanya, south China’s Hainan Province, Aug. 7, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhao Yingquan/IANS)

He is confident that China leads the residual of the Communist world after the dismemberment of the USSR, is sure of the irreversibility of Sino-Russian bonds, particularly in the wake of the military confrontation between Russia and Ukraine, and is cognisant of the interplay of Indo-US and Indo-Russian relations.

Xi has been trying to consolidate China’s strength externally and also from within. The BRI, strategic Sino-Pak alliance and an assertive foreign policy are supposed to bring China some advantage internationally while a definite focus on removing poverty, reducing inequalities and enhancing internal cohesion remain the hallmark of Xi Jinping’s domestic policies.

Socialism with Chinese characteristics is translated into practice by Xi through his advocacy of Sinicisation of Marxism, his extraordinary invocation of the ‘civilisational strength’ of China and a ruthless attempt at assimilating the minorities in the Chinese nation.

The BRI was a mean of furthering economic expansion and political dominance. Sino-Pak axis helped Xi guard the Chinese interest in Afghanistan through a give and take with Taliban on matters relating to Xinjiang and counter India through collaboration with Pakistan on the issue of Kashmir.

Xi Jinping would not like India to be drawn too close to the US in the latter’s geopolitical moves against China and is therefore trying to suggest that India-China issues on LAC should be seen in the wider context of Sino-Indian relations – the Indian response rightly making these relations incumbent on a resolution of the border problem.

Xi wants China’s advance to be steady but not slow and realises that the old strategy of gaining victory without war may not work out. The classical doctrine of ‘two steps forward, one step backward’, however, is still on and a glimpse of that was seen on the LAC, making it necessary for India to demonstrate its zero tolerance of any aggressive Chinese behaviour.

The Narendra Modi regime is adopting this policy and is prepared to deal with any coordinated attempt by China and Pakistan to indulge in mischief on our borders or even on our domestic front.

Xi Jinping has emerged as the Chinese leader in total control of the state, the party and the military – with politburo, central committee and central military commission, all packed with his loyalists – and it is evident that he is fully geared to taking on US President Joe Biden in the geopolitical confrontation that is developing between the US and China.

India is now a major power and its positioning in a world divided between the US-led West on one hand and the Russia-China combine on the other, is crucial for global peace.

Prime Minister Modi’s stand on Russia-Ukraine conflict showed India in the light of a wise counsel which was appreciated by the world community – India not letting Indo-US relations come in the way of India-Russia friendship and vice-versa.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping inside a house boat, in Wuhan. (Photo IANS_PIB)



China’s hostility towards India accentuated by the former’s military alliance with Pakistan – another adversary of India – directly endangered India’s security and has to be dealt with by India largely on its own because the US while focusing on the clash of interest with China seems to be not taking enough notice of Sino-Pak alliance in terms of its threat to the democratic world at large.

Further, the return of Taliban Emirate in Afghanistan with total support of Pakistan added to the threat of terrorism, specifically to India whereas the Biden administration, after the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan, looked at that country with some comfort of distance.

Currently under the Prime Ministership of Shehbaj Sharif, Pakistan is once again trying to project itself as a helpful ally of America and beginning to get a favourable response from the US – at the cost of India.

India is rightly following the policy of maintaining the required military build up at the border to deal with any aggression of China and joining in the international initiatives to keep China in check on the marine front. India is also relentlessly campaigning against Pak-sponsored terrorism by Islamic extremists, raising the issue effectively at all summits.

India has the advantage of having ‘economic stability’ as acknowledged by the IMF. The Sino-Pak axis, however, remains the gravest source of external and internal threats to India apart from the globally shared dangers of cyber warfare, influx of narcotics and use of social media as an instrument of combat.

(The writer is a former Director of Intelligence Bureau. The views expressed are personal)

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-Top News UAE News

COP27, COP28 promote joint climate action: UAE envoy

Al Kaabi said that the upcoming period will witness further cooperation between the two countries, especially with Egypt hosting COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh and the UAE hosting COP28 in 2023….reports Asian Lite News

UAE Ambassador to Egypt Mariam Khalifa Al Kaabi said that the bilateral relations between the UAE and Egypt are a model in close relations, noting that the UAE’s hosting of the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Egypt’s hosting of COP27 will promote joint climate action and support the sustainable development plans of the two countries.

In an interview with the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Al Kaabi stressed that the ties between the two countries are based on the foundations of mutual respect and appreciation, affirming that they share historical deep-rooted relations, and referred to a quote by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, where he emphasised that the renaissance of Egypt is the renaissance of the Arab region.

Egypt was among the first countries to recognise the formation of the UAE, she added, highlighting the significant advancement in their bilateral ties in recent years in several major sectors, most notably the economic and trade sectors, leading to a rise in their trade exchange to record levels.

Al Kaabi said that the upcoming period will witness further cooperation between the two countries, especially with Egypt hosting COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh and the UAE hosting COP28 in 2023.

She then highlighted the keenness of the two countries to share their climate change expertise related to the risks and challenges facing various development sectors. The UAE is the largest investor in Egypt, with over 1,250 Emirati companies operating in the country.

The two countries are manufacturing vehicles through the establishment of a joint Emirati-Egyptian company that produces natural gas and gasoline-powered vehicles made by Egyptian labour, upon the directives of their leaderships to localise modern industrial technologies and train professional technical personnel, she added.

Emirati business leaders are investing in projects in the new administrative capital and New Alamein in Egypt, in light of the investment potential of Egypt’s real estate sector, as well as infrastructure, energy and manufacturing projects in the country.

Al Kaabi highlighted the keenness of the two countries to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of their relations, by organising a major celebration in Egypt, under the theme, “Egypt and UAE – One Heart.”

The celebration is an opportunity to highlight the deep-rooted relations between the two countries and their strong overall cooperation, in light of their leadership’s keenness to enhance their bilateral ties, and expand their cooperation to include all vital sectors, she said in conclusion.

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-Top News UAE News

Al Jaber calls for maximum energy, minimum emissions

Dr. Al Jaber went on to explain that the solutions the world needs are also major opportunities. “Our world is on its way to being home to 9.7 billion people by 2050….reports Asian Lite News

UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber on Monday called for maximum energy with minimum emissions to ensure global energy security in his opening address at the 38th edition of the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition Conference (ADIPEC).

“A few days ago, as I was updating our President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, I asked for his advice. His response was reassuring. He told me ‘we cannot ignore the realities on the ground. We need to face them. We don’t shy away from challenges. We address them by adopting a positive mindset and by working out solutions with like-minded partners,” Al Jaber, who is also Managing Director and Group CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), said.

And then he added: ‘And remember, pursuing progress is in our DNA.”

Dr. Al Jaber, who is also the Chairman of Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar), noted that “energy is everybody’s top priority” today as the global energy landscape goes through what he described as “a perfect storm”. He argued that now is not the time to point out that long-term under-investment in oil and gas has made a difficult situation even worse as “the data is clear.”

“If we zero out hydrocarbon investment, due to natural decline, we would lose 5 million barrels per day of oil each year from current supplies. This would make the shocks we have experienced this year feel like a minor tremor. If this year has taught us anything, it taught us that energy security is the foundation of all progress – economic social and climate progress,” Dr. Al Jaber said.

Dr. Al Jaber went on to explain that the solutions the world needs are also major opportunities. “Our world is on its way to being home to 9.7 billion people by 2050. To meet their needs, the world will have to produce 30 percent more energy than today. And as we meet that need, we will be helping to bring electricity to almost 800 million people who don’t have it today. We will also be helping to transform the lives of the 2.6 billion people who have no access to clean cooking and heating fuels.

“The world needs all the solutions it can get. It is not oil and gas, or solar, not wind or nuclear, or hydrogen. It is oil and gas and solar, and wind and nuclear, and hydrogen. It is all of the above, plus the clean energies yet to be discovered, commercialised and deployed.

“The world needs maximum energy, minimum emissions. This is why our leadership decided to be a first mover in renewable energy, over 16 years ago by launching Masdar. It’s why we were the first country in the region to deploy nuclear power. And it is why ADNOC is making today’s energy cleaner while investing in the clean energies of tomorrow,” Dr. Al Jaber said, as he pointed out examples of the steps ADNOC is taking to decarbonise its operations.

“At ADNOC, we have connected our operations to zero carbon nuclear and solar power. We are electrifying our offshore operations to cut their carbon footprint in half. And, we are pressing down harder and harder on our methane intensity, even though we already have one of the lowest levels in the world. Maximum energy, minimum emissions.”

Moving forward, technology will be one of the greatest enablers of the oil and gas industry and this is an area where the industry can amplify and accelerate its impact, according to Dr. Al Jaber.

“Take carbon capture and storage. It is one technology we can take to scale, not just in our industry but across all industries. And then there is hydrogen. Just a few days ago, I saw the first shipment of ammonia arrive from the UAE to Hamburg Germany. It felt like a historic moment. It was a first step in creating a hydrogen value chain and an important step in taking yet another opportunity for our industry,” said Al Jaber.

Concluding his remarks, Dr. Al Jaber said global efforts should focus on a new, bold, realistic and pragmatic pathway that benefits humanity, the climate and the economy, with COP27 (the 27th UN Climate Change Conference) meeting in Sharm el Sheikh next week and as the UAE prepares to host COP28 (the 28th UN Climate Change Conference), the Emirates Climate Conference.

“We need to hold back emissions, not progress. The world is looking for solutions and I believe the energy industry can unite a divided world in finding them. I believe that the future is forged by those who make the first move. So today, I extend an open invitation to all our partners and friends worldwide. Let’s make that move together and forge that future,” Dr. Al Jaber said.

ADIPEC is the global energy industry’s most influential meeting place where ministers, energy leaders, and professionals convene to engage and identify opportunities that will unlock new value in the energy landscape. This year’s edition includes over 2,000 exhibiting companies as well as 28 international country pavilions.

ADIPEC is taking place from 31st October to 3rd November 2022.

ALSO READ: ‘UAE playing a leading role in tackling climate change’

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Pakistan, UAE hold joint drill in Arabian Sea

The exercise is the fourth edition among the two navies aimed to enhance interoperability, display operational readiness and consolidate existing strong bilateral relations in naval operations…reports Asian Lite News

Pakistan Navy demonstrated firepower in the Arabian Sea amid bilateral naval exercise ‘NASL AL BAHR-IV’ conducted jointly with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Karachi.

The exercise comprised advanced-level naval operations, including practical demonstration of Live Weapons Firings (LWF), The Express Tribune quoted a Pakistan Navy statement as saying.

Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi and Head of UAE Naval Training Brigadier Staff Abdulla Sultan witnessed the LWF at the North Arabian Sea.

The exercise is the fourth edition among the two navies aimed to enhance interoperability, display operational readiness and consolidate existing strong bilateral relations in naval operations.

The hallmark of the exercise was live weapon firings by both navies’ surface and aviation platforms.

All units successfully engaged the respective targets.

On the occasion, the naval chief expressed his complete satisfaction over the immaculate war preparedness of the Pakistan Navy against the entire spectrum of threats, The Express Tribune reported.

He also lauded the successful conduct of joint LWF by both the navies, saying it has “strategically underscored strong brotherly relations between the two countries”.

ALSO READ: Emirates highlights support for long-standing UAE-Egypt ties