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Ahlibank recently hosted a high-level delegation from the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Doha (QFC) Branch, led by general manager, Wang Weichao, during a courtesy visit to Hassan Ahmed AlEfrangi, Ahlibank CEO. The visit recognises Ahlibank’s recent successful issuance and listing of its inaugural QAR-denominated corporate bond on the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE), a landmark moment for the bank and a significant contribution to the continued growth and diversification of Qatar’s capital markets. It underscores Ahlibank’s leadership in developing alternative financing tools and deepening the domestic debt market. During the meeting, Wang and the ICBC delegation congratulated Ahlibank on the successful listing, recognising it as a positive step for investor confidence and the local financial ecosystem. Wang said: “We extend our warm congratulations to Ahlibank on this important milestone. The listing reflects the growing maturity of Qatar’s financial markets and Ahlibank’s forward-thinking approach to diversified funding. ICBC is proud to support initiatives that contribute to capital market development and looks forward to expanding our partnership with Ahlibank in mutually beneficial ways.” The two institutions also discussed potential areas for enhanced co-operation across capital markets, trade finance, and treasury services, reaffirming their shared commitment to deepening collaboration between Qatari and Chinese financial entities. AlEfrangi said: “The listing of our corporate bond is a significant achievement for Qatar’s capital market landscape. It demonstrates our commitment to financial innovation, transparency, and contributing to the long-term sustainability of our sector. We look forward to building on this strong relationship with ICBC to unlock new areas of cooperation and cross-border growth.” The visit reflects Ahlibank’s strategic focus on fostering strong relationships with leading global financial institutions and driving innovation through effective partnerships. As the bank continues to grow its footprint in both domestic and international markets, it remains committed to supporting Qatar’s financial sector development in line with the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030. 

China says Japan crossing a red line with Taiwan commentsJapan's PM Takaichi says Japan open to dialogue with ChinaTaiwan says China sent "rude and unreasonable" letter to UNChina's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said it was "shocking" for Japan's leader to openly send a wrong signal concerning Taiwan, according to an official statement on Sunday, the latest remarks in a row that has shaken relations for more than two weeks.Wang, the most senior Chinese official to have commented publicly on the issue, said Japan was crossing a red line that must not be touched, according to the statement posted on the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs' website.He accused Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi of attempting to intervene militarily over Taiwan. Wang was referring to comments on November 7 in which she told a questioner in parliament that a hypothetical Chinese attack on democratically governed Taiwan could trigger a military response from Tokyo.The ensuing row, the biggest China-Japan crisis in years, has spread to trade and cultural relations. On Friday China raised the issue with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, vowing to defend itself. Beijing views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory and has not ruled out the use of force to take control of the island.Taiwan's government rejects Beijing's claims and says only the island's people can decide their future. In response to the letter to the U.N., Japan's foreign ministry on Saturday dismissed China's claims as "entirely unacceptable" and said Japan's commitment to peace was unchanged.Speaking to reporters in South Africa after attending the G20 leaders' summit, Takaichi on Sunday made no mention of Wang's remarks or the letter, saying only that Japan remained open to dialogue with China. "We are not closing the door.But it's important for Japan to state clearly what needs to be said," she said. She added that she had not spoken with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, who was also in Johannesburg for the meeting. Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry on Sunday condemned the letter to the U.N. "The letter not only contains rude and unreasonable content but also maliciously distorts historical facts," the ministry said in a statement. "Furthermore, it violates Article 2(4) of the U.N. Charter, which prohibits the threat or use of force in international relations." Wang said that in responding to Japan's move, "China must resolutely hit back - not only to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity, but also to defend the hard-won postwar achievements secured with blood and sacrifice."If Japan "persists in its wrong course and continues down this path," all countries and people have the right to "re-examine Japan's historical crimes" and "resolutely prevent the resurgence of Japanese militarism", he said. China is Japan's largest export market after the United States, buying about $125 billion of Japanese goods in 2024, mainly industrial equipment, semiconductors and automobiles, according to UN COMTRADE data.

"We should be committed to mutual respect and win-win co-operation to advance China-Qatar relations to new heights as China and Qatar are both peace-loving countries," stressed the Chinese Charge d’Affaires Wang Ying on Thursday at the Chinese Embassy Doha.She pointed out that "under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani, the China-Qatar strategic partnership has gone through an 11-year golden period of development. Currently, the China-Qatar relationship is at its highest level in history and has become a model of friendly co-operation between countries."She noted that "China and Qatar have supported each other on issues which bear on our respective core interests and major concerns, and in pursuing development paths which suit our national conditions."Further, "the bilateral trade volume increased from $10.6bn in 2014 to $24.22bn in 2024, marking a growth of over 128%. Since 2020, China has remained Qatar’s largest trading partner and top export destination for five consecutive years. China-Qatar co-operation features a strong complementarity and delivers tangible benefits to the people of both countries," she said.In the meantime, she noted that "both China and Qatar are advocating for justice on the Gaza conflict, as we are jointly working to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people. Since the Gaza conflict erupted, Qatar has been actively participating in mediation, and successfully helped achieve ceasefire agreements and release of hostages twice. The international community highly appreciates Qatar's tireless efforts in striving for peace and alleviating humanitarian crisis."She further pointed out that China has upheld an objective and fair position, and been committed to safeguarding peace and lives. China pushed for the adoption of the first resolution of ceasefire in Gaza by the United Nations Security Council, facilitated the reconciliation dialogue and the signing of the Beijing Declaration by the 14 Palestinian factions, and deliveredmultiple batches of humanitarian assistance to Gaza.The Chinese Chargé d’Affaires in Doha stressed that "The humanitarian crisis in Gaza must not continue, and the Palestinian question must not be marginalized once again. The legitimate aspirations of the Arab nation should be fulfilled as soon as possible, and the just voice of the vast Islamic world must be heeded. The “two-state solution” remains the only viable way out of the turmoil for the Middle East, and the international community should take more concrete and effective actions to this end. "She expressed her country's stand saying that "China stands ready to work with Qatar to strengthen the synergy of both countries’ development strategies, jointly promote the community with a shared future for humanity, uphold international fairness and justice, advance on the journey toward national prosperity and rejuvenation, and bring more benefit to the two peoples."