US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's two-day visit to China comes at a critical time, when the world cannot afford more geopolitical ruptures, and de-escalating tensions between the two global superpowers is the only pragmatic way forward. Even as frosty relations between the US and China are no secret, Mr Blinken's visit to Beijing – five years after his predecessor Mike Pompeo's trip in 2018 – is an encouraging step.
Expectations on both sides are modest amid the high-level meetings planned between Mr Blinken and Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang. But open communication is necessary for both sides to bring their significant disagreements to the discussion table – among them and not least of all: the war in Ukraine, the issue of Taiwan, the South China Sea, technological competition and trade disputes.
But even as the competing powers have never been allies, US-China relations in the past few months have arguably been at their lowest ebb since just before 1972, when Richard Nixon became the first sitting US president to visit China. The incident in February of the US shooting down a suspected Chinese spy balloon only worsened ties and delayed Mr Blinken's originally scheduled visit.
To begin repairing relations when there is mutual distrust is not easy nor straightforward but the willingness on both sides to talk is a hopeful sign. At the heart of their tensions is a lack of communication, which is always to the detriment of any two nations at odds. Even at the height of the Cold War, the US and the erstwhile Soviet Union were communicating with each other, a fact that famously kept the peace. With China's rise in recent decades, US dominance has unquestionably been challenged, prompting a shift in the power balance. This has come in sharper focus of late. The American bank Goldman Sachs has even projected that China’s economy will overtake America’s by 2035.
In 2022, however, the US was still the world's largest economy, with a gross domestic product of just under $25.5 trillion. China was the second largest economy, with a GDP of around $18.1 trillion. The two powers make up the biggest economies in the world and two of the mightiest militaries – which is all the more reason for them to have a healthy working relationship amid a multipolar world. China's military expenditure is only second to the US, which has an enormous defence budget by any standard. While last year America spent $877 billion on its military, China came next, at $292 billion, ahead of Russia and India.
As one country rises to rival an existing superpower, the frictions that result are not surprising. But how the rest of the 21st century pans out will depend in large part on the trajectory of the relationship between two countries' whose economies are deeply linked to one another. Their ability to co-operate and communicate – in at least as much as is necessary to maintain peace, and avoid conflict – is imperative for global security. Crucially, too, as the world's biggest carbon emitters, the US and China need to co-operate on climate action. Repercussions of not doing so are grave and consequential for the entire global population.
Despite their issues, tentative efforts from both sides to move ahead have not gone unnoticed. US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan met China's top diplomat, Wang Yi, in Vienna last month. Prior to that, in November last year, when Chinese President Xi Jinping met US President Joe Biden at the G20 summit in Bali, he said the world was "big enough" for both nations to prosper. That is the de-escalating attitude both nations need to persist with.
The outcome of Mr Blinken's meetings will be known shortly. What is already clear, however, is that efforts to co-operate and pave the way for a stable, multipolar global order will reward not just the two superpowers but the wider world, which cannot sustain the outcomes of a struggle over international dominance.
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2020 Oscars winners: in numbers
- Parasite – 4
- 1917– 3
- Ford v Ferrari – 2
- Joker – 2
- Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood – 2
- American Factory – 1
- Bombshell – 1
- Hair Love – 1
- Jojo Rabbit – 1
- Judy – 1
- Little Women – 1
- Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You're a Girl) – 1
- Marriage Story – 1
- Rocketman – 1
- The Neighbors' Window – 1
- Toy Story 4 – 1
Williams at Wimbledon
Venus Williams - 5 titles (2000, 2001, 2005, 2007 and 2008)
Serena Williams - 7 titles (2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2016)
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
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10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
Seven tips from Emirates NBD
1. Never respond to e-mails, calls or messages asking for account, card or internet banking details
2. Never store a card PIN (personal identification number) in your mobile or in your wallet
3. Ensure online shopping websites are secure and verified before providing card details
4. Change passwords periodically as a precautionary measure
5. Never share authentication data such as passwords, card PINs and OTPs (one-time passwords) with third parties
6. Track bank notifications regarding transaction discrepancies
7. Report lost or stolen debit and credit cards immediately
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Racecard
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Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
