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BEIJING: China plans to expand exports and imports next year as part of efforts to promote “sustainable” trade, a senior economic official said on Saturday, state broadcaster CCTV reported. The trillion-dollar trade surplus posted by the world’s second-largest economy is stirring tensions with Beijing’s trade partners and drawing criticism from the International Monetary Fund and other observers who say its production-focused economic growth model is unsustainable. “We must adhere to opening up, promote win-win cooperation across multiple sectors, expand exports while also increasing imports to drive sustainable development of foreign trade,” Han Wenxiu, deputy director of the Central Financial and Economic Affairs…

BEIJING: China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi met his United Arab Emirates counterpart on Friday, pledging deeper cooperation in investment, oil and gas, and infrastructure with the Gulf country, China’s foreign ministry said on Saturday. Wang, on a three-nation tour of the Middle East that began on Friday, held talks with UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi, the ministry said. UAE aims to boost LNG exports as global demand outpaces supply, minister says “China is willing to strengthen high-level exchanges with the UAE, consolidate political mutual trust and elevate bilateral relations,” Wang said.

China launched its first commercial space-born experimental capsule on Saturday from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, marking a new milestone in the country’s growing commercial space sector. The capsule, named DEAR-5, lifted off aboard a Kuaizhou-11 carrier rocket developed by the China Space Sanjiang Group. The rocket also carried a satellite, with both payloads successfully delivered to their designated orbits. The DEAR-5 space-born experimental capsule. /AZSPACE DEAR-5 is carrying 34 experimental payloads from research institutes, universities and enterprises. Over the next year, the capsule will support on-orbit research and technology verification across multiple frontier fields, including microgravity…

The 12th national memorial day was observed on Saturday to honor the 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, as this year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Despite the winter chill, thousands dressed in dark attire gathered at the public square of the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China’s Jiangsu Province, with white flowers pinned to their chests, to take part in the ceremony. China’s national flag was flown at half-mast in front of the crowd that included survivors of…

The Indian Premier League’s (IPL) brand value has fallen sharply by 20% to $9.6 billion in 2025, according to Brand Finance, marking only the second major decline in the tournament’s history. Analysts link the drop to this year’s unprecedented mid-season suspension and wider commercial challenges that weighed down broadcaster confidence and franchise valuations. The biggest shock came in May when IPL 2025 was suspended for nearly a week due to Pakistan–India border tensions. This was the first mid-tournament stoppage since the COVID-19-interrupted 2020 season. Brand experts say the uncertainty directly hit advertising exposure, disrupted match-day visibility, and slowed commercial momentum…

India has cut red tape to speed business visas for Chinese professionals, two officials said, a major step to boost ties between the Asian giants and end chronic delays that cost output worth billions of dollars because of scarce technicians. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi cautiously rekindles ties with Beijing in the face of punishing US tariffs, the officials said New Delhi dropped a layer of bureaucratic scrutiny and shortened visa approval times to less than a month. Reuters is the first to report the development. India had blocked virtually all Chinese visits after the nuclear-armed neighbours clashed on their…

Thailand was set for an earlier than expected election after its king endorsed Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s bid to dissolve parliament on Friday, as a border conflict with Cambodia raged and the government moved to head off a no-confidence vote. Anutin late on Thursday announced he was “returning power to the people”, and King Maha Vajiralongkorn approved his petition to dissolve the house, according to a royal gazette posting overnight, paving the way for an election as early as February. Anutin’s play comes as an armed border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia entered into a fifth day, with at least…

Pakistan and the United Kingdom have launched a new round of development talks after an eight-year gap, marking a major step toward strengthening economic cooperation, trade, investment, and education ties between the two countries. The fresh round of Pakistan–UK development talks comes after eight years and is being viewed as a significant reset in bilateral engagement. Both sides expressed optimism that cooperation in trade, investment, and education will expand further in the coming period. The talks aim to build on recent progress and unlock new opportunities for sustainable economic growth. Focus on economic cooperation An important meeting was held between…

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s official visit to Turkmenistan continued on Friday as he joined international leaders at the Neutrality Monument, a key symbol of the country’s long-standing policy of permanent neutrality. The prime minister arrived at the Neutrality Monument in Ashgabat alongside world leaders participating in the Permanent Neutrality Anniversary Forum. The monument represents Turkmenistan’s internationally recognized policy of permanent neutrality. During the ceremony, the prime minister and other global leaders laid flowers at the monument to pay tribute to this principle, which has shaped Turkmenistan’s foreign policy for three decades. 30 years of Turkmenistan’s neutrality The PM attended the…

Pakistani all-rounder Shadab Khan expressed excitement over the growing influence of Pakistani cricketers in Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL), calling it an opportunity for players and fans alike. Representing Sydney Thunder, Shadab said the presence of multiple Pakistani stars is giving the league added prestige. Speaking during a virtual media session from Sydney, Shadab highlighted that while Pakistani cricketers have previously played in Australia, this is the first time such a large number are participating together. “The league is also getting fame because of big names from Pakistan,” he said. Shadab noted that playing abroad against teammates brings a different…