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Doha, 22 June 2023 

President of the Republic of Singapore Her Excellency Halimah Yacob visited Baladna Food Industries as part of her diplomatic tour to the country. This visit underscores the evolving relationship between Singapore and Qatar, marked by a shared commitment towards issues such as food security, sustainability, and agricultural development.

She was received on her arrival by Ramez Al Khayyat, Managing Director Baladna Food Industries; Malcolm Jordan, Chief Executive Officer of Baladna and senior management team.

President of Singapore was briefed during her visit to various sections of state of the art facilities including exploration of the cutting-edge BFI Plant and extensive farming facilities.

Commenting on the visit, Ramez Al Khayyat said “We are honoured to receive Her Excellency the President Halimah Yacob, at Baladna farms. This visit is another step forward in Qatar and Singapore’s strong bilateral relations, and we look forward to continuing our conversation on how we can collaborate on food security efforts and agricultural initiatives.”

The visit marks a new development in Baladna’s ongoing strategy to expand its successful model of dairy self-sufficiency and circular economy approach towards sustainable agriculture to support food security efforts in other countries, including Algeria, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and other regions.

Doha, Qatar, 21 June 2023

By Haroon Qureshi
Today is a significant day in my life as a cricket enthusiast, as it marks the meeting with a magnificent star of not just South Asia but the cricketing world, who dazzled on the horizon of cricket for 16 years. The victorious captain of the Indian cricket team in the 1983 World Cup and the first fast-bowling all-rounder, Kapil Dev.
I had the good fortune of meeting the legendary Kapil Dev at the house of my dear friend Fazal Qazi in Qatar. I am fortunate to be among those lucky people who witnessed Kapil Dev playing against Pakistan during his first tour of Pakistan in Lahore.
The flamboyant lad, who excelled in pace bowling, was praised by cricket pundits who said that India had produced a genuine pace-bowling all-rounder for the first time. During that era, the Indian team relied on famous world-class spinners like Bishan Singh Bedi, Erapalli Prasanna, Srinisvas Venkatraghavan, and Bhagwat Chandrasekhar. The inclusion of a pace-bowling all-rounder in this team was a big deal.
Apart from India, in the years 1980-1970, other teams also had fast-bowling greats on the field, including Malcolm Marshall, Andy Roberts, Michael Holding, Dennis Lillee, Jeff Thomson, Richard Hadlee, Ian Botham, Sarfraz Nawaz, Imran Khan, and others. For the first time, Kapil Dev was included in the list of top pace-bowling all-rounders in the world based on his performance. In a short period of time, Kapil Dev began to rival the three best pace-bowling all-rounders in world cricket: Richard Hadlee, Ian Botham, and Imran Khan. Kapil Dev played his first match on October 16, 1978, against Pakistan in Faisalabad, and his last on March 19, 1994, against New Zealand. In his career, he played 131 Test matches, scoring 5,248 runs and taking 434 wickets. He scored 3,783 runs and took 253 wickets in 225 One Day Internationals.
Before meeting Kapil Dev, I had many apprehensions in my heart about how he would react, considering he had given thousands of interviews. But it became evident that great people in the world are not defined by their work alone, but by their character. When our friend Fazal said to Kapil Dev, "Paaji, Haroon has come to interview you," Kapil responded without hesitation, "Come in. Ask whatever you want to ask. I am here." And so, our conversation began, and I learned that Kapil Dev's ancestors hailed from Sahiwal, a town in Pakistan, before they migrated to India after independence from British Colonial empire.
Haroon: Kapil, first tell me about your health. You had a stroke recently.
Kapil: I'm completely fine. You know the media exaggerates everything. There was a lot of noise.
Haroon: It's credited to you that after joining your team, pace bowlers are coming into Indian cricket with discipline.
Kapil: If we look at Indian cricket of the past 20 years and compare it to today's cricket, there has been a significant difference. The style of cricket has changed with time, and there has been a great improvement in the management of Indian cricket. Young talented players are getting more opportunities, and I believe that more skillful players from smaller cities are emerging. They have a little more passion for bowling, and as for batting, most of the talented names come from bigger cities. That's what I think.
Haroon: Has a genuine all-rounder been produced after you?
Kapil: Becoming an all-rounder in cricket requires relentless hard work from the beginning. Moreover, nowadays cricket is played a lot, which prevents some players from fulfilling the required criteria of the game because they get injured from playing too many matches. The weather in the subcontinent is not favourable. There is winter in northern India and Pakistan, while the other regions of India experience extreme heat. To excel in pace bowling, you have to put in twice the effort, so here you get to see more batters because players seek an easier way. I can say that young players are looking for their own heroes. India has produced great batters for many years, and the list is extensive.
Haroon: What is the reason you have played international cricket for 16 years without getting injured, and why today’s cricketers can't seem to play against fast bowlers without injury?
Kapil: I don't want to say that players get injured for no reason, but nowadays cricketers play cricket for ten months or even more. They don't get a chance to rest and their bodies recover. Maybe we didn't have as much pressure during our time. We didn't have too many Test or One-Day International matches, so the pressure was less. After the advent of T20 cricket, the number of matches increased, and the pressure on the players also increased. When there is a lot of money involved, players feel pressure in their eyes and body language. Due to the lack of rest in a player's body, health issues escalate.
Haroon: Don't you think that T20 cricket is changing the way cricket is played worldwide? Do you see it as a threat to Test cricket or its future?
Kapil: See, it depends on the International Cricket Council (ICC) to bring about changes in Test cricket so that people come back to watch Test matches at the grounds as people prefer T20 cricket. Whatever people like ends up gaining popularity. But it is the responsibility of the ICC to introduce certain changes in Test cricket.
T20 and One-Day cricket have done one thing, and that is that the results of matches have started coming in. If you look back a quarter century ago, matches used to end in draws more frequently, but now the pace of the game has changed, and results are coming in more often. The major change is that teams now play for victory even on the fifth day, rather than playing for a draw. Maybe in our time, if you didn't have a hundred percent belief in winning, you would go towards playing for a draw. But the current young generation plays aggressively by nature, which is why they get more results. This is all because of T20 cricket.
Haroon: Do you feel any difference between cricket in your era and cricket in the present era?
Kapil: I believe that today's players can make a life out of cricket, whereas players from our time also had regular jobs alongside playing cricket. They had jobs in railways, airlines, and other departments besides playing cricket. Today's players have become professional cricketers, and when you become a professional player, your thinking changes. Today's players pay more attention to their future.
Haroon: In your time, Lala Amarnath used to be a cricket expert who understood the technique of cricket. Nowadays, a player who couldn't secure a place in their national team in India or Pakistan becomes a cricket expert. What do you say about that?
Kapil: I think it should be limited. If we talk about Pakistan, there are big players like Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis who discuss the game. In India, there are Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri. Sometimes these players become experts from anchors, which surprises us. Those who have played cricket should answer, but some people believe that anchors understand cricket better.
Haroon: In today's era, the cricketers of IPL earn so much money in one season that some players in your era couldn't earn in their entire lives. In your opinion, what impact has this had on the game of cricket?
Kapil: It hasn't had that much of an impact if you think positively and understand. Even today, I believe that cricketers don't get more money. If the Board get a TV rights deal worth INR 50 crores, the players don't even get one crore. If we look at it from this perspective, the business is huge, but the players are not benefiting much, proportionately speaking. Even if players get a 2% share, it's nothing. When you hear that someone is earning 10 crores from it, they are earning 20 crores, but if we talk about the business side, the person making money is much more. We only talk about how much money the cricketers are making.
In our time, the cricket board didn't have much money, there were no TV rights, so players used to get less compensation. Now a TV rights deal is worth a thousand crores. Money is coming in because of the cricketers. Cricket should have a good relationship between administrators and broadcasting agencies. The media always talks about how players are making a lot of money, but then you see that the cricket board is also making very little. Even the ICC is making very little. It depends on the ICC how they balance and manage cricket. Regarding the question about whether Test cricket is ending, if there is more benefit here, then we should go back to playing One Day and Test matches.
Haroon: After the FIFA World Cup, the Legend's Cup took place in Qatar last month. Qatar Airways has recently sponsored the Bangalore team in the IPL. How do you see the future of cricket in Qatar?
Kapil: I think the future of T20 is very bright because as a cricketer, I want cricket to be played all over the world. Qatar has made a name for itself in sports around the world. Currently, only around 15 countries play cricket, but when America, China, Japan, Europe start playing T20, there will be a transformation in cricket.
Haroon: A film was made on the victory of the 1983 World Cup under your leadership. How do you feel when you see your life's biggest success on the big screen?
Kapil: It feels great to see it after 40 years, taking the cricket we played to the big screen. The new generation doesn't know how things were at that time and how we played. We feel good that something we did is also being seen by future generations.
Haroon: During a match in Pakistan, your ball hit Saleem Malik's head. You said, "It didn't hurt much," and he replied, "No, sir, I'm fine." When the second ball hit his leg, Saleem Malik started feeling a lot of pain and began rubbing his leg. You said, "Your brain is in your leg."
Kapil: Such banter was di rigueur back then. During the 1983 World Cup, when Balwinder Singh Sandhu’s head was struck by a ball OF A West Indian pacer, Sandhu went up to him and said, "Don’t you know the brain of a Sardar is not in his head, but in his knees?" This kind of banter was common place, but we should never consider someone small even in jest. This is what makes you bigger as a human being than others.
 Talking to Kapil Dev in detail, I realized that he is not just a great player, but also a great human being, and such legends remain in people's hearts for posterity!

Islamabad, 21 June 2023

President of Pakistan, Dr Arif Alvi, on Wednesday, approved the appointment of Justice Qazi Faez Isa as the next Chief Justice of Pakistan. Justice Qazi Faez Isa will assume office on September 17, 2023, following the retirement of the incumbent Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Umar Ata Bandial, as stated in a statement from the President's House.

The incumbent chief justice will reach the age of superannuation on September 16, 2023, in accordance with Article 179 of the Constitution. President Alvi, appointing Justice Qazi Faez Isa under Article 175A(3) of the Constitution, will administer the oath of office to him on September 17, 2023.

The appointment of the incoming Chief Justice, Qazi Faez Isa, is seen as a ray of hope for the improvement of Pakistan's delicate democratic process and the restoration of public confidence in the deteriorating judicial system, particularly under the outgoing chief justice.

The announcement of the incoming Chief Justice three months in advance is regarded as a confidence-building measure among both domestic and international investors.

Both the appointment of the Chief Justice and the selection of the strong army chief, Gen. Asim Munir Ahmed, are setbacks for ousted Prime Minister Imran Khan, who conducted a failed aggressive public and social media campaign against both of these highly professional and upright individuals.

Pakistan's judiciary has faced various challenges and criticisms over the years, including concerns about its independence, efficiency, and access to justice. Corruption and delays in the legal system have been among the key issues raised. Efforts have been made to reform and strengthen the judiciary, however, it lacks confidence in general public.

Pakistan ranks 129 out of 140 in Rule of Law Index 2022 WJP Rule of Law index.

President of Pakistan, Dr Arif Alvi, is a staunch supporter of ousted Prime Minister Imran Khan and the leader of the political party PTI, which is headed by the disgraced Imran Khan.

Imran Khan and the top leadership of PTI are facing numerous severe charges, including the May 9, 2023 attacks on defense installations across Pakistan, allegations of mega corruption, money laundering, misappropriation of funds, and receiving illegal donations from foreign individuals and institutions.

Beijing / United Nations, 19 June 2023 (Anadolu News)

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the Great Hall of the People on Monday.

Noting that the world is developing and the times are changing, Xi said the world needs a generally stable China-U.S. relationship, and whether the two countries can find the right way to get along bears on the future and destiny of humanity.

Xi pointed out that the vast expanse of the Earth is big enough to accommodate the respective development and common prosperity of China and the United States. The Chinese, like the Americans, are dignified, confident and self-reliant people, Xi said, adding that they both have the right to pursue a better life. "The common interests of the two countries should be valued, and their respective success is an opportunity instead of a threat to each other."

Xi said the international community is generally concerned about the current state of China-U.S. relations. "It does not want to see conflict or confrontation between China and the United States or choose sides between the two countries, and it expects the two countries to coexist in peace and have friendly and cooperative relations."

The two countries should act with a sense of responsibility for history, for the people and for the world, and handle China-U.S. relations properly, Xi said, adding that in this way, they may contribute to global peace and development, and help make the world, which is changing and turbulent, more stable, certain and constructive.

Xi stressed that major-country competition does not represent the trend of the times, still less can it solve America's own problems or the challenges facing the world. China respects U.S. interests and does not seek to challenge or displace the United States, and in the same vein, the United States needs to respect China and must not hurt China's legitimate rights and interests, said Xi. "Neither side should try to shape the other side by its own will, still less deprive the other side of its legitimate right to development."

Xi said China always hopes to see a sound and steady China-U.S. relationship and believes that the two major countries can overcome various difficulties and find the right way to get along based on mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, calling on the U.S. side to adopt a rational and pragmatic attitude and work with China in the same direction.

Xi pointed out that the two sides need to remain committed to the common understandings he and President Biden reached in Bali, and translate the positive statements into actions so as to stabilize and improve China-U.S. relations.

For his part, Blinken conveyed President Biden's greetings to President Xi. He said President Biden believes that the United States and China have an obligation to responsibly manage their relations, adding that this is in the interests of the United States, China and the world.

The United States is committed to returning to the agenda set by the two presidents in Bali, Blinken said, adding that the United States stands by the commitments made by President Biden, namely that the United States does not seek a new Cold War, it does not seek to change China's system, its alliances are not directed at China, it does not support "Taiwan independence," and it does not seek conflict with China.

The U.S. side looks forward to having high-level engagement with the Chinese side, keeping open lines of communication, responsibly managing differences, and pursuing dialogue, exchanges and cooperation, he added.

Xi asked Blinken to convey his regards to President Biden. Present on the occasion were Wang Yi and Qin Gang, among others.

 

The UN welcomed on Monday an agreement between the US and China to stabilize tense relations following the US secretary of state's visit to Beijing.

"Any dialogue between the United States and China on this is crucial to improving coordination on a wide range of major issues," said UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq.

Antony Blinken met with Chinese President Xi Jinping for talks on Monday, the highest-level contact between the world's top two economies since Xi met his US counterpart Joe Biden last November in Indonesia.

Xi said that the two sides made progress and reached agreement on some specific issues.

Blinken said profound differences remained and that both sides were open to further talks. He said "military-to-military contacts are hugely important," adding that he "repeatedly" raised the issue with Chinese officials.

Relations between the US and China deteriorated during the Trump administration with a trade war and have since remained tense due to the conflict over Taiwan and an alleged Chinese spy balloon over the US.

Doha, 19 June 2023 (QNA)

Based on Al-Ula agreement and the joint keenness on strengthening the bilateral relations, the State of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates announced restoration of diplomatic representation between the two countries.

Simultaneously, both the countries State of Qatar today, as of Monday, June 19, 2023 reopened its embassy in Abu Dhabi and Consulate Offices n Dubai, whereas  United Arab Emirates reopened its embassy in Doha.

Official news agency of State of Qatar, QNA in a statement sais that the two sides underlined that this step comes as an embodiment of the will of the leaderships of the two countries, and in consolidation of the march of joint Arab action, to achieve the aspirations of the two brotherly peoples.

Riyadh, 15 June 2023

By Muhammad Adeel,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Riyadh

Pakistani journalists based in Saudi Arabia have emphasized the importance of national unity, political and democratic forces, and coordination among ruling circles as the key solutions to the problems faced by Pakistan during a dinner held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in honor of Zakaullah Mohsin, president of Pakistan Media Forum Riyadh.

Journalists and political personalities gathered to discuss the pressing issues in their homeland. They emphasized the need for powerful circles, including all political parties in Pakistan, to unite on a common platform for the development and prosperity of the country and its people, aiming to improve the overall situation.

They recognize that Pakistan has encountered numerous challenges in its history, and they believe that a collective effort from political and democratic forces, along with the support of the ruling circles, can lead the nation towards a better future. Their commitment to national unity and cooperation reflects a deep understanding of the complexities that Pakistan faces, both internally and externally.

A senior journalist Khalid Cheema expressed his view on journalism role. He said that "Journalism plays a vital role in society, acting as a watchdog that holds those in power accountable and informing the public about important issues. It serves as a platform for voices that would otherwise go unheard, shedding light on various aspects of society and contributing to the overall well-being of the nation. By reporting on events, investigating matters of public interest, and facilitating open dialogue, journalists contribute to the democratic fabric of a country.

He added In the context of Pakistan, journalism plays an even more critical role. It acts as a bridge between the government and the people, facilitating the flow of information, fostering transparency, and ensuring that citizens are well-informed about the decisions that affect their lives. Journalists strive to bring important stories to the forefront, exposing corruption, advocating for justice, and amplifying the voices of marginalized communities.

Furthermore, journalists serve as the eyes and ears of society, reporting on the ground realities, sharing diverse perspectives, and challenging the status quo. They provide a platform for public discourse, enabling citizens to engage in informed debates and shaping public opinion. Through their work, journalists have the power to bring about positive change, inspire social progress, and contribute to the overall development of the nation.

As Pakistani journalists gather abroad, like in Saudi Arabia, to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing their homeland, they exemplify the critical role journalism plays in society. Their commitment to raising awareness, fostering unity, and advocating for positive change serves as a reminder of the responsibility that journalists hold in shaping the destiny of their nation. By standing up for the values of democracy, transparency, and national unity, these journalists are paving the way for a brighter future for Pakistan.

In the spirit of hope and solidarity, the Journalists and attendees join together in prayer for Pakistan's progress and prosperity.

Riyadh, 12 March 2023

Saudi Arabia's Prime Minister and Chairman of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz,  announced  establishment of 'Riyadh Air' a PIF wholly owned company.

The new national carrier will leverage Saudi Arabia’s strategic geographic location between the three continents of Asia, Africa and Europe, enabling Riyadh to become a gateway to the world and a global destination for transportation, trade, and tourism.

Riyadh Air will be chaired by Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Governor of PIF, while Tony Douglas, who brings more than 40 years of experience in the aviation, transportation and logistics industries, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer. The airline’s senior management will include Saudi and international expertise.

Operating from Riyadh as its hub, the airline will usher in a new era for the travel and aviation industry globally. Riyadh Air will be a world-class airline, adopting the global best sustainability and safety standards across its advanced fleet of aircraft equipped with the latest cutting-edge technology.

The airline is expected to add USD 20 billion to non-oil GDP growth, and create more than 200,000 direct and indirect jobs.

As a wholly owned PIF subsidiary, the new national airline is set to benefit from PIF’s investment expertise and financial capabilities while expanding on the company’s operations to become a leading national carrier. The new national airline represents PIF’s latest investment in the sector, along with the recently announced King Salman International Airport masterplan.

Riyadh Air aims to enhance customers’ journey while connecting them to over 100 destinations around the world by 2030; through offering an exceptional experience with an authentic, warm Saudi hospitality at its heart.

The airline will provide tourists from around the world the opportunity to visit Saudi Arabia’s cultural and natural attractions. Riyadh Air will also serve as a catalyst for the Saudi National Transport and Logistics Strategy and the National Tourism Strategy by increasing air transport options, raising cargo capacity and, in turn, growing international passenger traffic.

The establishment of Riyadh Air is part of PIF’s strategy to unlock the capabilities of promising sectors that can help drive the diversification of the local economy. It will enable a more financially resilient aviation ecosystem in Saudi Arabia, supporting the industry’s global competitiveness in line with Vision 2030.

In March this year, Riyadh Air,  announced an order of up to 72 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner airplanes in a multi-billion dollar deal. This unprecedented order for a new carrier – 39 confirmed aircraft with an option to acquire 33 additional wide-body 787-9 Dreamliner airplanes – is a strong signal of intent for Saudi Arabia to become a global aviation hub.

This agreement is part of Saudi Arabia’s wider strategic plan to transform the country into a global aviation hub. In total, national carriers today announced their intent to purchase up to 121 787 Dreamliners in what will be the fifth largest commercial order by value in Boeing’s history.

This will support the country’s goal of serving 330 million passengers and attracting 100 million visits by 2030.

Tony Douglas, former Group CEO of Abu Dhabi based Etihad Aviation Group is CEO of Riyadh based Riyadh Air. 

Riyadh, 11 June 2023 (Anadolu News)

Saudi Arabia said Sunday it seeks to benefit from China’s advanced capabilities in renewable energy. “Saudi Arabia does not compete with China in the energy sector,” Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman told the 10th Arab-China Business Conference, held in the capital Riyadh.

He said Saudi Arabia has a lot to offer in cooperation with China. ''The kingdom’s Vision 2030 is integrated with the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative,'' he stated.

The Saudi minister noted that demand for oil in China is still on the rise. "We have to be part of this growing demand…and to take a share of the petrochemicals market,” he added.

Last week, Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter, announced a voluntary reduction in its oil production in July by one million barrels per day, for one month subject to renewal. Likewise, OPEC+ countries announced a reduction in their production by 1.4 million barrels per day in 2024.

The alliance’s production will stabilize at 40.46 million barrels per day.

Doha, 11 June 2023

By Ashraf Siddiqui

Suhail Shaheen, designated permanent representative of Afghanistan to the United Nations and head of the Taliban Political Office in Doha, has said that a committee on women’s education will soon submit its recommendations on resuming women’s education in the country.

Talking to Ashraf Siddiqui, Editor www.asiantelegraphqatar.com in an exclusive interview, Suhail Shaheen said that recommendations to meet the basic rights of education of women would be prepared by keeping in view the social and cultural norms of the country. Women’s education is important for the development and growth of any country. After taking over the government of Afghanistan, schools and colleges were functioning. However, some terrorist organisations including ISIS started their attacks on their plea that women’s education is spreading immorality. He expected that after the recommendations from the committee soon, women’s education will be resumed throughout the country.

He said the West has imposed sanctions on Afghanistan on biased and media-propagated human rights charges for depriving the women of education, without knowing the ground realities and norms of the society. Shaheen queried the human rights of women and people of Afghanistan thrown into starvation by imposing illegal economic sanctions, so much so that the reserves of the country are blocked and unable to use for the health, education, food security and development of Afghan people.

He said the recent UN meeting in Doha on Afghanistan was important to involve the Afghanistan delegation to learn about ground realities on hand and suggestions to solve these issues. “Afghanistan is a sovereign country, how recently held UN talks on issues of a sovereign country without its participation could be fruitful and be unproductive in future also, if not invited.

These are our issues, and some of them are sensitive also. Both the people of Afghanistan and the government want to solve these and are always ready to discuss and find solutions towards these issues,” he said. “How can implementation on any one-sided, biased and discriminatory imposed decision be possible? Such attitude will only result in further distancing and heading towards conflicts,” the Doha-based Afghan spokesperson added.

He said only a pragmatic approach could be successful. Shaheen said, “We tried same time to extend our point of view and criticism through media, through our meetings with some of the participating delegates, however, we all saw the UN conference without any outcome.”

He said it is wrongly propagated that Afghan women are deprived of education in rural areas without checking whether there are any school buildings and other infrastructure in rural areas, come forward to build schools and colleges. Shaheen urged the West to help in meeting the right to education for women.

He accused the West of pushing educated Afghans and professionals to leave the country and create a situation of instability in Afghanistan. “If teachers leave the country, how can schools be operated,” he asked. “Education for girls and boys are need of our people, it is the need of the country’s development and progress. There is a committee working to suggest how the basic need for education for women can be met within the cultural and social norms of Afghan society. Hopefully soon will be worked out,” he said.

Yangling, Shaanxi, China                                         06 June 2023 (QT)

By Ashraf Siddiqui

"We will be welcoming Qatar as SCO family member soon,” Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Secretary-General Zhang Ming has said.

Talking to Qatar Tribune on the sidelines of the two-day SCO Conference on Poverty Reduction and Sustainable Development, Secretary-General Zhang Ming said that Qatar joined SCO last year as a Dialogue Partner and is among the neighbouring countries of SCO member states.

The conference was organised by China-SCO Good-Neighbourly Friendship and Cooperation Committee, National Rural Revitalization Bureau, and Shaanxi Provincial People’s Government.

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