China's top diplomat meets special envoy of UAE president

Wang Yi, China's top diplomat, met with Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, special envoy of the president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to China, in Beijing on Tuesday.

Wang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, said that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, relations between the two countries have become a model for the common development and revitalization of Global South countries.

Regardless of changes in the international and regional landscape, China stands ready to work with the UAE to continuously advance their relations, Wang added.

Noting that China has always been a builder of peace, a promoter of stability and a contributor to development in the Middle East, Wang said China will continue to play a constructive role in achieving a comprehensive ceasefire, promoting a political settlement, restarting negotiations as soon as possible and facilitating a lasting peace in the region.

Al Mubarak said the UAE is ready to enhance communication and coordination with China to jointly promote regional peace and stability.

China has always been a trustworthy and reliable partner for the UAE, he said, adding that the UAE side hopes to promote the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries to a new level.

China's top diplomat meets special envoy of UAE president

Cuba issued Decree-Law 135 on oil and gas on Monday to attract investment in exploration and production amid a worsening energy crisis.

The Ministry of Energy and Mines held a press conference on the new decree, stating that the measure aims to better meet the country's demand for fuels and derivatives and support the restoration of the national power system.

While stressing the country's energy sovereignty and jurisdiction over its energy resources, the new legislation promotes investment in the energy sector by domestic and foreign enterprises through more diverse cooperation models, according to Pedro Abigantus, director of the ministry's directorate of investments and oil and gas Businesses.

"Previously, foreign participation was limited to production-sharing contracts. Now, we are including other models, such as oil concessions, since there are investors who prefer that approach. We therefore view these as incentives -- measures that help attract more investment. Opportunities are also open to domestic investors," he said. The decree is part of Cuba's economic reform to cope with pressure from the prolonged U.S. embargo, which features comprehensive economic, financial and trade restrictions and has been intensified this year by a de facto fuel and oil blockade targeting shipments to the country.

Cuba issues new oil, gas decree to increase output amid energy crisis