BEIJING: China’s top diplomat called Monday for new US President Joe Biden’s administration to lift restrictions on trade and people-to-people contacts while ceasing what Beijing considers unwarranted interference in the areas of Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Tibet.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s comments at a Foreign Ministry forum on US-China relations come as Beijing presses the new administration in Washington to drop many of the confrontational measures adopted by former President Donald Trump.
Trump hiked tariffs on Chinese imports in 2017 and imposed bans and other restrictions on Chinese tech companies and academic exchanges as he sought to address concerns about an imbalance in trade and accusations of Chinese theft of American technology.
Trump also upgraded military and diplomatic ties with Taiwan, the self-governing island democracy claimed by China as its own territory, while sanctioning Chinese officials blamed for abuses against Muslim minorities in Xinjiang and a crackdown on freedoms in Hong Kong.
“We know that the new US administration is reviewing and assessing its foreign policy,” Wang told diplomats, scholars and journalists at the Lanting Forum. “We hope that the US policy makers will keep pace with the times, see clearly the trend of the world, abandon biases, give up unwarranted suspicions and move to bring the China policy back to reason to ensure a healthy, steady development of China-US relations.”
While Biden has pledged reengagement and a more civil tone in US diplomacy, its unclear whether he will make any fundamental changes in Washington’s policies toward Beijing. China faces more opposition than ever in Washington due to its trade record, territorial disputes with neighbors, and accusations of technology theft and spying. Taiwan enjoys strong bipartisan support, as do criticisms of China’s human rights record, especially on Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Tibet.
In his first address before a global audience Friday, Biden said the US and its allies must “prepare together for a long-term strategic competition with China.”
“Competition with China is going to be stiff. That’s what I expect, and that’s what I welcome, because I believe in the global system Europe and the United States, together with our allies in the Indo-Pacific, worked so hard to build over the last 70 years,” the president said in remarks delivered virtually to the annual Munich Security Conference.
As is standard in Chinese foreign policy, Wang put the onus for improving relations squarely on the shoulders of the US and offered no direct proposals for major breakthroughs, even while encouraging increased dialogue.
Wang said China had “no intention to challenge or replace the United States” and was ready to peacefully coexist and seek common development.
Wang urged the US to “stop smearing” the reputation of China’s ruling Communist Party and to “stop conniving at or even supporting the erroneous words and actions of separatist forces for Taiwan independence and stop undermining China’s sovereignty and security on internal affairs concerning Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Tibet.”
He said the US should reactivate all levels of dialogue that he said the US had effectively halted under the Trump administration, and boost cooperation on major bilateral and international issues. The COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and the global economic recovery are the three biggest issues on which the sides can cooperate, he said.
On trade, Wang said China would defend the rights of US companies while hoping the US would “adjust its policies as soon as possible, among others, remove unreasonable tariffs on Chinese goods, lift its unilateral sanctions on Chinese companies and research and educational institutes and abandon irrational suppression of China’s technological progress.”
The US should also lift restrictions on media, educational and people-to-people exchanges to reverse sharp declines in numbers of Chinese studying in the US and visits by Chinese for tourism or business, Wang said.
“I hope that the two sides will work together to steer the giant ship of China-US relations back to the course of sound development toward a bright future with boundless prospects,” he said.
While the tone taken toward the US by high-ranking diplomats such as Wang, senior foreign policy adviser Yang Jiechi and President Xi Jinping himself appears more positive than under Trump, China’s Foreign Ministry spokespeople have remained combative.
At a briefing on Friday, spokesperson Hua Chunying contrasted the freak winter weather striking Texas with the robust social and economic interactions seen in China over the just-passed Lunar New Year holiday, without offering any show of sympathy.
“All this has given us a deeper understanding of what human rights truly mean and how to better protect them. We are more convinced that we are on the right path and have every confidence in the future,” Hua said.
China urges US to lift trade restrictions, stop interference
https://arab.news/bpt6p
China urges US to lift trade restrictions, stop interference
- Trump hiked tariffs on Chinese imports in 2017 and imposed bans and other restrictions on Chinese tech companies and academic exchanges
Kingdom’s digital ‘leapfrog’: Intel executive VP highlights 20-year Saudi partnership
- Speaking on the sidelines of the WEF, Christoph Schell emphasized the Kingdom’s commitment to growth and its importance as a key market for Intel
- Says technology plays a crucial role in the Kingdom’s societal development, with a key focus on fostering innovation and bridging the digital divide
DAVOS: Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 has enabled the Kingdom to “leapfrog other countries,” creating a robust ecosystem that aligns with Intel’s digital transformation strategy, the company’s executive vice president and chief commercial officer told Arab News.
Speaking on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Christoph Schell emphasized the Kingdom’s commitment to growth and its importance as a key market for Intel, building on a 20-year legacy of collaboration.
“Having lived for eight years in the Middle East, I know that once you define a plan, and you work that plan, that plan will also work out,” Schell said. “So there’s a lot of trust that this vision will become reality.”
Schell, who previously served as HP’s general manager for the Middle East, described the region — and Saudi Arabia specifically — as being at an “exciting historical moment” in terms of technology, innovation and business, positioning the Kingdom as a “crucial market in size and influence.”
Intel has maintained a strong presence in Saudi Arabia for more than two decades, with its innovation and priorities evolving in response to the Kingdom’s changing needs.
“There’s a very long legacy that the Kingdom has of engaging with Intel and for the population of Saudi Arabia to actually use Intel in their daily lives. That’s true on the consumer side, but that’s also true for the large corporations,” Schell said.
“What I see happening for the first time is that the Saudi customers have been, over these 20 years of engagement, buying monolithic products that Intel had to offer. I think this industry is changing as such that we are talking more and more about custom solutions, custom chips, and these are the first (type of) engagements that we have with Saudi customers now, cross-customization.”
He attributed this shift to significant investments in digital infrastructure and the growing tech sophistication of Saudi consumers and businesses.
“I see Saudi not just consuming technology that is off the shelf, but to demand technology that is best in the very specific requirements that you have,” he said.
Highlighting examples, Schell said that Saudi Arabia’s extreme temperatures had led to customized design requests for products operating in harsh conditions, such as on oil platforms and in peak summer heat.
“That requires different design principles across different products. And that’s the opportunity for us,” he said.
In January 2024, Intel announced a partnership with Aramco Digital to establish Saudi Arabia’s first Open RAN (radio access network) development center. Open RAN technology, which allows multiple service providers to deliver services over the same network infrastructure, is expected to accelerate innovation and drive the Kingdom’s digital transformation in line with Vision 2030.
“If you want to scale a data center, if you want to grow a data center, if you want to grow a cloud operation, getting access to power is super important,” he said.
“Obviously the Kingdom has a lot of power, but on the other hand, it is also demanding for that power to be delivered in the most efficient way, and for the computer to be cognizant of power not being there in abundance, but to be managed in a way that is responsible.”
Schell argued that this evolution is a consequence of the cultural and societal shifts in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the country’s focus on innovation and bridging the digital divide.
“Technologies (are) at the heart of societal development. And I think a lot of the goals that you have as a society is to innovate, is to make sure that there’s no digital divide within the country,” he said.
As part of its vision for the future, Saudi Arabia is prioritizing the development of a robust tech ecosystem by attracting manufacturers, creating jobs and nurturing local talent — a strategy that Schell described as “sustainable.”
“It has a lot to do with education, but I think beyond educating, the ability to design products together, to engineer products together, is something that needs to start, in particular, working together with select universities,” he said.
Schell emphasized the role of AI in shaping the Kingdom’s future, particularly in practical applications such as education and daily life.
“The output that an AI engine delivers is based on the model it uses. And I think what is very important for Saudi Arabia in this context is to have models that have cultural awareness, that have cultural content.”
Drawing on his own experience, Schell highlighted the importance of localization.
“I live in the US right now. I’m German. If I use a US model, a US-centric model, I will get US-centric answers. (While) If I use a Saudi-centric model, I will get Saudi-centric answers.
“This is very important from a culture and from a historic point of view,” he added, stressing the “government’s responsibilities” in fostering an ecosystem that supports culturally relevant AI.
AI no longer an experiment, but a necessity for business, says Publicis Sapient chief
- Nigel Vaz calls for end to ‘wait-and-see’ approach, saying businesses need to ‘act now or risk being left behind’
- Middle East laying the groundwork for ‘truly transformational moment’ in global digital future, says CEO
DAVOS: Technological innovation and its potential to reshape economies is inspiring growing optimism among business leaders despite a global backdrop of geopolitical tension, economic uncertainty, and the urgent challenges of climate change, the CEO of Publicis Sapient told Arab News.
Nigel Vaz, speaking at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, said he sees a moment of both caution and opportunity for businesses worldwide.
“In many ways, businesses thrive on certainty,” Vaz said. “After years of unpredictability, there’s now a sense of optimism about what lies ahead. Investments in technology, particularly in AI, are helping unlock new economic opportunities, from reducing costs to driving transformational growth.”
While acknowledging lingering concerns over inflation and the impact of macroeconomic policies such as tariffs, Vaz believes the focus is shifting toward pro-growth initiatives, including government-led reforms to alleviate pressure on businesses.
“Governments are increasingly exploring tax reforms and other measures to create a more favorable environment for growth,” he said. “And alongside that, investments in AI and digital innovation are starting to deliver real results, moving from proof-of-concept to large-scale implementation.”
With artificial intelligence the hot topic of the day, Vaz said enthusiasm around AI is no longer solely about its potential but also its measurable impact on businesses.
“Last year, AI was something everyone was interested in. This year, they’re seeing the economic benefits of it,” he said.
Vaz pointed to several ways Publicis Sapient is leveraging AI to accelerate transformation, with one significant area in marketing, where AI-driven platforms are enabling businesses to personalize their messages and reach audiences more efficiently.
Publicis Sapient has partnered with its parent company, Publicis Groupe, to invest $300 million in advanced marketing technologies.
“It’s not just about content generation anymore,” Vaz said. “AI is helping with everything from content audits to ensuring the right message gets to the right person at the right time. The ability to connect identity and tailor communication is driving incredible acceleration.”
AI’s influence is also being felt in operational areas traditionally weighed down by inefficiencies.
Publicis Sapient’s work includes modernizing mainframe systems — once seen as expensive and slow — through AI-driven solutions.
“We’ve taken what used to be 10-year migration projects involving millions of lines of code and compressed them into just three years,” Vaz said. “This is digital red-tape removal in action, and it’s allowing businesses to innovate far more quickly than they ever thought possible.”
Vaz also highlighted the Middle East as a critical player in the future of AI and digital transformation. He pointed to countries such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE, where governments are making significant infrastructure investments to foster innovation.
“The Middle East is laying the groundwork for a truly transformational moment,” Vaz said. “If you think of AI as the electricity of the 21st century, the investments being made here are akin to building the power grids of the industrial revolution. It’s about creating an environment where businesses can innovate and thrive.”
He also praised the region’s commitment to developing local talent to drive these initiatives.
“I was speaking with a minister (this week), and he stressed that while they’re putting the infrastructure in place, it’s Saudi talent that’s building and leading these projects. That’s a powerful message about the long-term vision here.”
Looking ahead, Vaz urged business leaders to abandon a “wait-and-see” approach to AI and instead embrace the transformative potential of the technology.
He said that 2025 will be a pivotal year, adding that “the gap between those who adopt AI and those who don’t is going to widen dramatically. Businesses need to act now to ensure they don’t get left behind.”
Vaz added that leaders should move beyond treating AI as a technical tool and instead reimagine their entire business models. “This is not just about technology — it’s about fundamentally rethinking how your business operates and delivers value.”
As Publicis Sapient continues to expand its footprint in key regions such as the Middle East, Vaz is clear about his priorities for the future. “Our focus is on enabling businesses to learn and iterate in real-world applications,” he said. “Whether it’s in travel, financial services, or retail, we’re seeing tremendous benefits from these transformations. The key now is to keep moving forward.”
In a world still grappling with uncertainty, leaders such as Vaz see the promise of AI and digital transformation as a beacon of opportunity. “The future is here — it’s just a matter of who seizes it first,” he said.
Global Collaboration Village: Redefining engagement with Next-Gen AR and VR at Davos
- This year’s debut of Next-Gen AR at Davos has focused on collecting feedback to refine the platform
DAVOS: The World Economic Forum’s Global Collaboration Village is using augmented reality and virtual reality technologies to tackle some of the world’s most pressing issues, the president of the initiative told Arab News.
Its Next-Gen platform, developed in partnership with Accenture and powered by Microsoft Mesh, debuted at the WEF annual meeting in Davos this week, and Chieh Huang said that it aimed to extend the collaborative impact of Davos beyond the annual meeting by creating a virtual space that fostered engagement year-round.
He said: “So we often get the question, well, what is the Global Collaboration Village? We’re here in Davos — isn’t this the global collaboration village? And in some sense, yes, it is.”
He continued: “But as Davos and our annual meeting gets more crowded, we want to see if there are ways for us to extend impact throughout the world, 365 days a year.”
This year’s debut of Next-Gen AR at Davos has focused on collecting feedback to refine the platform.
“This is a platform in which we want to stoke more conversation between public entities and private entities,” Huang said. “As you build a platform and any technology product, you want to hear the feedback of, well, what worked well, what didn’t work well. And what better way to do that than here (at the annual meeting), where all of our constituents and users are here.”
Huang emphasized the importance of user input in shaping the experience.
“The graphics are higher fidelity, they’re photorealistic,” he said. “We’re mixing virtual reality in some cases where we want to transport you to a location, but other times we just want to sit around a table, visualize a 3D object, and say, ‘Hey, have you noticed this thing?’ or, ‘Have you noticed that thing?’ Using augmented reality when it’s apropos.”
Feedback so far has been overwhelmingly positive. “The most-used term this week has been: Wow,” Huang said. “When you see the state-of-the-art hardware and software these days, it is a wow moment.”
The tech offers an alternative to traditional 2D communication platforms such as Zoom or PowerPoint by immersing users in a 3D environment.
“If you talk to anyone that’s ever been in an immersive environment, it changes your perception,” Huang explained. “Through that immersiveness, there is a higher level of engagement.”
The platform also aims for inclusivity and device-neutrality. “Next-Gen is available not only with Meta devices but Apple’s Pro as well, and in the future, we want to add more devices onto that as well,” Huang said.
One example of the platform’s potential lies in its use by Saudi Arabia at this year’s WEF to showcase the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 initiative.
“From the outside, I don’t live in Saudi Arabia, I don’t live in the region. It might seem very foreign to say, ‘Hey, there’s this Vision 2030, where they’re trying to transform an entire country and society,’” Huang said.
“You can send around leaflets, you can watch that on YouTube, or maybe get a PowerPoint, but will that actually show and demonstrate what’s really going on? You could say nothing can replace going there. But is there an in-between? That’s where the Global Collaboration Village can shine,” he said.
The GCV mission is clear; to foster collaboration, spark innovation and enable participants to visualize solutions in transformative ways.
Huang concluded: “We want this platform to be a space where global solutions can be visualized, tested and realized — ultimately shaping a better future for all.”
Middle East’s rise to becoming global aviation hub ‘absolutely incredible,’ Menzies chairman says
- Hassan El-Houry says aviation vital for global, domestic economies
- Forecasts 300% growth over 10 years, $200bn investment in airports
DAVOS: The Middle East’s rise as a global aviation hub has been “absolutely incredible” and should be a source of pride, according to Hassan El-Houry, chairman at Menzies Aviation.
Speaking to Arab News recently at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, El-Houry said the region’s aviation growth over the past two decades demonstrates that “the impossible is possible.”
“In 20 years the Middle East has become an absolute hub for aviation. It’s absolutely incredible. It really makes us proud.”
He added: “The Middle East started from a very low base. If you go back 20 years, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Saudi Arabia — they were not transit hubs.
“I remember traveling to London or Europe or East Asia, and in hotels, you’d see four clocks — San Francisco, New York, London and Tokyo. Today, there’s one in the middle: Dubai. Finally, the Middle East is now seen as a hub, and it’s great.”
Looking ahead, he said the projections for the region were positive. “We’re forecasting 300 percent growth over the next 10 years in aviation and almost $200 billion in investment in airports.
“This outpaces any other region. It’s absolutely incredible what we’re going to see over the next five (to) 10 years for the Middle East, particularly the GCC,” he said.
And globally, he said the outlook was similarly bright, while reflecting on the unprecedented challenges the industry faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“That shows two things: first, we’ve fully recovered from COVID-19, which is great, and second, it shows the resilience of the aviation sector,” he said.
“We had literally the largest and most impactful crisis, which challenged the aviation sector. We lost a lot of people who worked in aviation — they sought jobs elsewhere, and rightfully so. A lot of investment went elsewhere,” he added.
Despite these setbacks, El-Houry emphasized aviation’s crucial role in the global economy and its ability to connect people. “Governments were asking themselves, why should we invest in aviation when it’s so sensitive to shocks?
“What we can see now is that aviation is resilient and is absolutely critical to the global economy, to domestic economies, for people. Connectivity matters. People want to connect, people want to see each other.
“Just look around here at WEF in Davos — not a single person is wearing a mask. That just shows that people want the human connection, and aviation’s resilience makes that happen,” he said.
While optimistic about global and regional progress, El-Houry expressed some concerns. “One region which has not fully recovered is Africa, which has been struggling for many reasons — debt, inflation, some geopolitical issues, and lack of investment,” he said.
“Africans make up 17 percent of the world’s population but only 2 percent of the world’s travelers, a statistic that has remained unchanged in the past 10 years. I’d love to see Africa bridge that gap and develop.”
He called for greater investment and attention to the continent, highlighting the potential of aviation to unlock economic and social opportunities.
El-Houry concluded with a clear message for world leaders that aviation must be treated as an economic priority. “Aviation is no longer a privilege for the 1 percent. It’s super important for everybody across the socio-economic spectrum.”
“In the past, governments used to look at aviation as another way of taxing the 1 percent. Today, aviation is important for education, for healthcare, for family connections, for trade — everything.
“So, let’s make sure that aviation remains a priority, a pillar of the economy, and super important for economic growth,” he urged.
Saudi Arabia seeing steady growth in non-oil economy says economy minister
DAVOS: Saudi Arabia is seeing steady growth in the non-oil economy, said Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Alibrahim in Davos on Friday.
Alibrahim called for action-oriented leadership in global economies and said that Saudi Vision 2030 was an example of a strong campaign led by bold leadership that developed solutions for economic problems.
“Vision 2030 is a long-term campaign in order to restructure the economy. We care about the non-oil economy, it currently represents 52 percent of the GDP for the first time,” he said.
Alibrahim said that the Kingdom expected to close 2024 with 3.9 percent growth in the non-oil economy.
He followed up by saying 2025 was predicted to see 4.8 percent growth, and by 2026 growth would equate to 6.2 percent.
Alibrahim commented on the longstanding friendship between the Kingdom and the US.
“Saudi Arabia’s position is to have a strong partnership with all its partners and friends. Tariffs have been used as a tool in the economy when they are for an objective and time bound. Tariffs can help create a competitive environment so local industries can start,” he said.
Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, said that Saudi Arabia had the right strategy when dealing with tariffs.
“Trade among politically aligned countries is higher. But countries that are friends with everybody perform the best,” Georgieva said.
Alibrahim ended the session by announcing a regular world economic global forum meeting in the Kingdom set to be held in the spring of 2026.
