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Biden, Xi meet virtually amid mounting US-China tensions

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While President Joe Biden and Xi Jinping hold their meeting with friendly waves, Biden said he expected the two would spend plenty of time discussing areas of difference, including human rights, economics, and Indo-Pacific.

US President Joe Biden has held his virtual meeting with China’s Xi Jinping by saying the goal of the two world leaders should be to ensure that competition between the two superpowers “does not veer into conflict.”

Xi greeted the US president as his “old friend” and echoed Biden’s cordial tone in his own opening remarks on Monday, saying, “China and the United States need to increase communication and cooperation.”

“It seems to be our responsibility as the leaders of China and the United States to ensure that the competition between our countries does not veer into conflict, whether intended or unintended, rather than simple, straightforward competition,” Biden said at the start of the meeting.

“I stand ready to work with you, Mr. President, to build consensus, take active steps and move China-US relations forward in a positive direction,” Xi said.

“China and the United States should respect each other, coexist in peace, and pursue … cooperation,” Xi said.

“Let’s get something straight: We know each other well; we’re not old friends,” Biden said. “It’s just pure business.”

Xi, however, at the start of the meeting gave a nod to the warmth in the earlier days of their relationship, saying, “I am very happy to see my old friend.”

Discussion on areas of differences

Biden said he expected the two would spend plenty of time discussing areas of difference, including human rights, economics, and “ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

“We have always communicated with one another very honestly and candidly. We never walk away wondering what the other man is thinking,” Biden said.

“None of this is a favor to either of our countries, what we do for one another, but it is … responsible world leadership,” Biden told Xi. “You’re a major world leader, so is the United States.”

Rising tensions

While the two leaders opened their meeting with friendly waves, they were meeting at a time of mounting tensions in the US-China relationship.

Biden has criticised Beijing for human rights abuses against Uighurs in northwest China, suppression of democratic protests in Hong Kong, military aggression against the self-ruled island of Taiwan and more.

Xi’s deputies, meanwhile, have lashed out against the Biden White House for interfering in what they see as internal Chinese matters.

Biden would have preferred to meet Xi in person, but the Chinese leader has not left his country since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

The White House floated the idea of a virtual meeting as the next best thing to allow for the two leaders to have a candid conversation about a wide range of strains in the relationship.

The White House set low expectations for the meeting with Xi. No major announcements or even a joint statement were anticipated.

The first nine months of the Biden administration have been marked by the two sides trading recriminations and by unproductive exchanges between the presidents’ top advisers. But there are signs of thawing.

Last week, the US and China pledged at the UN climate talks in Glasgow, Scotland, to increase their cooperation and speed up action to rein in climate-damaging emissions.

READ MORE: Washington’s China syndrome

Source: TRTWorld and agencies

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Fushidhiggaru project ongoing, will finish on time: Government

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28/04/2024

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The Maldives government on Sunday assured Fushidhiggaru reclamation project, a key initiative under the vision of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, has not stalled and would be completed on the scheduled date.

President’s Office Chief Spokesperson Heena Waleed confirmed this on Sunday at a press conference, while providing details on other government initiatives.

The state has responded about the large-scale development project amid speculation in social media and by political opponents, claiming the initiative has stalled.

In response, Heena highlighted that the sand dredging in the project is currently on pause, stressing this was not indicative of the entire project being halted.

“I would like to ask, if they gauge the ongoing status of a capacity based on whether sand dredging is ongoing or not. Although sand dredging has stopped, there would be several other associated components of the project that requires attention and execution,” Heena commented.

She further said the project requires administrative and other work, all of which, she added, were ongoing.

“In response, I would like to reply that the Fushidhiggaru project has not stalled, it is ongoing. The project would conclude as per the scheduled date announced by the President,” she said.

Under the large-scale development project, 1,153 hectares of land will be reclaimed, which is thrice the combined size of Hulhumale’ Phase I and II.

The iniatiative commenced officially on December 18, 2023 while the Maldives President assured the reclamation component will conclude within eight months from the date of commencement.

Source(s): sun.mv

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Efforts underway to submit new laws to Parliament

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28/04/2024

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Chief Spokesperson at the President’s Office Heena Waleed has stated that efforts are underway to complete the administrative preparations for introducing new laws and amendments to the Parliament, with the government achieving a super majority in the parliamentary elections.

Heena stated there are several crucial laws to be presented to Parliament under the government’s week-14 legislative agenda. As such, laws relating to housing, the criminal justice system, social security are to be submitted. On this stance, Heena affirmed that the laws and amendments which have been stalled in the committee phase will be given a top priority to be implemented by the end of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s tenure.

Furthermore, Heena revealed that over 200 laws are to be implemented, aiming to fulfill President Dr. Muizzu’s commitment outlined in the government’s manifesto. She assured that the elected Parliament will play a significant role as their views align with that of the president.

Observing that the government attained a super majority during the parliamentary elcetions was due to the unwavering trust in President Dr. Muizzu, Heena affirmed that this advantage will not be exploited. She guaranteed that the super majority will assist the government in implementing and enforcing policies that will benefit the public as per the respective policies.

Source(s): PsmNews

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Islamic Minister discusses expanding Zakat House

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1 day ago

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27/04/2024

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Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has met with the Director General of Zakat House Director Dr. Majid Sulaiman Al-Azimi to discuss upgrading the Maldives Zakat House.

The minister confirmed this via X (formerly Twitter), highligting that the two discussed about expanding the services of the Zakat House, including staff and Sharia Board training, and the legal requirements of Zakat recipients.

Earlier, the minister announced the administration’s plan to introduce a financial aid system to extend aid to orphans permanently. Dr. Shaheem said orphans will receive financial support annually until adulthood.

However, the minister did not specify how much the government intended to provide as financial support each year.

The current administration established the Maldives Zakat House with the objectives of increasing public awareness on the importance of paying Zakat, and foster love among the public towards the Islamic sacred act.

Under the Zakat Fund, government provided financial support to 52 individuals earlier in March 2024.

Statistics recently provided by the Zakat House showed the fund had been disbursed mainly in four areas, which are;

For Cancer Treatment – MVR 190,822.50
Brain Surgery – MVR 180,407.19
Heart Surgery – MVR 8,482.00
Transplants – MVR 25,443.00

Additionally, another MVR 227,872.50 was disbursed for various other areas.

Source(s): sun.mv

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