Rightways to Success

Friday, 9 December 2022

China, Saudi Arabia deepen relations amid development synergy

During their meeting, both leaders discussed cooperation between China and Saudi Arabia in the matters of science, technology, regional peace and other aspects of society.

Saudi Arabia rolls out red carpet for China’s Xi Jinping in snub to US, says analyst

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Saudi Arabia to a lavish reception, a welcome seen as a not-so-subtle reminder to the United States that the Saudis can forge other alliances, analyst Nader Hashemi tells CNA’s Asia Now.

Xi, Saudi king agree to hold regular head-of-state meetings

The national flags of China and Saudi Arabia are seen on the street of Riyadh ahead of the China-Arab States Summit on December 7, 2022. Photo: thepaper.cn

A grand welcoming ceremony, high-level bilateral meetings and wide-covering investment agreements are among proofs that China-Saudi Arabia relations have been lifted to a new high.

On Thursday, President Xi Jinping and Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud signed an agreement on the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries and also agreed to hold a meeting between the two heads of state by turns every two years.

Experts believed that Saudi Arabia's industrial diversification endeavor can be a perfect match for China's Belt and Road Initiative and its policy of developing high-tech industries. During the visit, Saudi and Chinese companies signed 34 investment agreements, covering green energy, transportation, logistics, medical industries and construction, local media reported.

In the welcoming ceremony held by Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud on behalf of King at the royal palace in the capital Riyadh on Thursday, Xi reviewed the guard of honor, who extended the most solemn welcome to the Chinese president with traditional sword-holding etiquette.

Cultural roots

This visit also witnessed the efforts of the two sides to enhance people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. In a signed article published Thursday on the Saudi newspaper Al Riyadh, Xi said that "China and Saudi Arabia have admired each other and conducted friendly exchanges since ancient times. The prophet Muhammad said, 'Seek knowledge even if you have to go as far as China.'"

Such mutual respect has been carried forward to today. On Thursday China agrees to list Saudi Arabia as a destination for group travel and expand personnel exchanges as well as cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two sides.

Experts believed that China-Saudi relations play a crucial role in boosting the relations between China and Arab countries, serving as an example as South-South cooperation. As the only G20 member among Arab countries, Saudi Arabia has seen its regional influence grow, playing a leading role in the affairs of GCC as more Arab countries are realizing that compared to China that promotes peace and development in the region, the US instigated conflicts and divergences, imposes extra geopolitical conditions in its cooperation with Arab countries.

A new level

Abdulaziz O. Sager, chairman of the Gulf Research Center in Saudi Arabia told the Global Times that China-Saudi Arabia relations is a good role model that can be expanded to different countries in the Middle East region, as the great relationship is based on mutual interests and non-intervention in the domestic issues from both sides.

"We will not interfere in the issues between the US and China. We will not take US' position when it comes to China. We think our relationship with China is extremely important, and extremely valuable," said Sager.

China and Saudi Arabia will reportedly sign a plan to harmonize the Kingdom's Vision 2030 with China's Belt and Road Initiative, according to people familiar with the matter.

"There is a lot of complementarities between BRI and the Saudi vision 2030," said Sager, noting this unleashes many opportunities for China and Saudi Arabia to have stronger ties. He expects the China-Saudi Arabia and China-Arab relations to move forward not only from an economic dimension, but to have a political dimension, saying the Arab countries are looking for more constructive engagement with China on regional issues that are of concern to them.

In the past, many Middle Eastern countries were seen as proxies of the West but are now trying to get rid of such identity by working on development on their own, seeking a balance in cooperation with major powers, Zhu Weilie, director of the Middle East Studies Institute at Shanghai International Studies University, told the Global Times on Thursday.

"China-Saudi strategic relations have now entered a new level covering many more areas, and the two countries share similar aspirations in the country's development and reform, especially in green energy and digital economy," Zhu said, adding that deepening cooperation is in line with their own development targets, and it's not targeting any third-party country.

Fahad Almeniaee, Director of the China and Far East Unit of the Riyadh-based Center for Research and Intercommunication Knowledge, told the Global Times that the relationship between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and China is a multi-faceted relations ranging from trade to culture. "Xi's visit has been successful by all standards," he emphasized.

Broader cooperation

Xi also met with leaders of several other regional countries, including Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Kuwait's Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabahon, on Thursday.

Commenting on China-Arab States Summit, news site Middle East Eye said the goals of China and the Gulf are aligned in many domains, which means that the summit is only likely to produce new synergies. "It is a growing reality in the Gulf and it is likely that the summit will elevate these economic synergies to a new level and a possible free trade agreement, oil deals in yuan and membership of BRICS Plus would hugely strengthen Gulf-China ties and further challenge US hegemony," the news site said.

Xi's visit to Saudi Arabia came amid strained US ties with the Middle East country, some US media reports said, which also underlines Beijing's growing influence in the Middle East and draws "inevitable comparison" to a low-key welcome afforded to Biden when he visited Saudi Arabia in July.

Compared with relations between the US and Arab countries, China's relations with them are based on equality and mutual respect with honesty, unlike the US which brings ideological bias in its interactions with the countries, some experts said.

"And more Gulf countries understand that when the US mentions 'security,' it has become unsecure for them while China-proposed ideas promoting peace and development are much more welcomed," Wang Guangda, secretary-general of the China-Arab Research Center on Reform and Development at Shanghai International Studies University, told the Global Times.

China hopes to promote the benefits for people of the both sides rather than competing with the US in terms of the influence in the region or filling "vacuum" left by the US, Wang said.

China-GCC relations have achieved sound, steady and comprehensive development, staying at the forefront of China's relations with Arab countries. China has remained the GCC's largest trading partner for a long time.

In 2021, the trade volume between China and GCC bucked the overall downward trend and rose by 44 percent. And China-GCC relations have set a fine example of cooperation between China and other developing countries.

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What you can do with an MBBS

MEDICINE is still a career of choice for young Malaysians leaving high school, but does pursuing an MBBS necessarily mean you would need to become a practicing doctor?

The 3D anatomy and virtual dissection table help build stronger anatomy knowledge aside from cadaveric dissection. .

The 3D anatomy and virtual dissection table help build stronger anatomy knowledge aside from cadaveric dissection.

Students actually have multiple pathways - they can choose to remain in practice, advance into research, go into corporate organisations by becoming a hospital manager or administrator, become an occupational health specialist or choose to serve the community by being in public health.

Qualifying with an MBBS is merely the first step as it is no longer a fixed road to being a practicing clinician.

The practitioner

With the growing population, the doctor practitioner is still much needed in all sectors of society. While the hours may seem long and un-family friendly, it comes back to the individual. As the saying goes, “do what you love, and you would never feel as if you’ve worked a day!”

.Professor demonstrating a procedure to students during Obstetrics and Gynaecology class.

In a future where technology dictates, those skills that are distinctly human will be among the most valuable and it is these skills that are enriched through postgraduate study. Considering how vital this is, Manipal University College Malaysia organises workshops for the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) and various Royal College Fellowship/Membership exam prep courses at its campus in Melaka, so students can prepare for them before graduation with minimal travel involved from their on-going routine.

The researcher

For the doctor who is constantly intrigued by how things start and how things can be resolved or diseases cured, becoming a researcher would be a good choice. As the world shrinks with ease of travel, so looms larger the threat of infectious diseases. Research work is also more structured today, whereby evidence collected is based on a cross-section of causes. With the advent of the systematic review, the physician research is now part of a larger multidisciplinary team.

The community advisor

If it has always been your dream to treat communities, the role of a doctor as a community advisor by way of being in public health would then be the right path. Strong love of medicine coupled with mathematics and statistics are the core ingredients to excel in this pathway. By being able to read into trends and form analytical solutions, a public health physician would be better able to formulate strategic preventive measures.

The right place to do your MBBS

MUCM’s resort style campus provides students with an environment that is conducive for learning.MUCM’s resort style campus provides students with an environment that is conducive for learning.

With over three dozen medical schools in Malaysia to choose from, Manipal University College Malaysia (MUCM), formerly known as Melaka-Manipal Medical College is miles ahead as a top medical school. Students strolling along swimming pool after class.

Students strolling along swimming pool after class.

The name Manipal has resonated with the Malaysian healthcare system for the past 68 years with thousands of medical doctors graduating from Manipal in India and over the last 25 years from Manipal University College Malaysia (formerly known Melaka-Manipal Medical College) in Melaka. The contribution from the graduates to the healthcare services is time tested within the country with many others creating a mark in the US, UK and Australia.

Students are guided to find their true paths before graduation, being continuously exposed to the real lives of doctors, researchers and public health individuals through the college’s annual postgraduate fair and monthly seminars and exhibitions.

Fulfil your dream with Manipal

The pursuit of medicine is a marathon, not a sprint. As such, parents and students are invited to visit Manipal University College Malaysia and experience for themselves life as a future Manipalite.

*For more details on the programme, call 1700 811 662 or visit www.manipal.edu.my

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Gaining lean muscle mass

Tips for men who want to build muscle effectively and gain lean muscle mass

In order to grow your muscles, you must apply enough stress for them to become fatigued. — 123rf.com

For most males, hitting the gym is a way to get healthy, look good and feel more confident.

To get the most out of a workout session, a good understanding of health and nutrition can help maximise results.

However, if you were to ask most men what it takes to build muscle, they’d probably say that you just need to eat protein, protein and more protein.

Sure, protein is important.

After all, your muscles are made of protein, and your body requires adequate protein in the diet in order to have the building blocks it needs to build muscle mass.

But protein alone won’t do.

You also need to pay attention to the rest of your diet and exercise routine.

To help men start off on the right track, here are some tips on how to build muscle effectively.

Strike the right balance

A lot of people who are trying to bulk up are also trying to lose body fat at the same time.

But sometimes, the approaches they use to meet those goals are at odds with each other.

They’ll take in plenty of protein, which, when coupled with a strength training routine, should lead to more lean mass.

But they may also cut their total calories back too far in an effort to get “shredded.”

That can be a problem.

If you cut your calories too much, some of the protein that you eat is going to be burned for fuel rather than being used to support muscle development.

So, to effectively build muscle mass, you want to ensure that you have enough calories to support your activity and the right balance of nutrients.

Don’t shy away from healthy fats, as they are a vital structural component of every cell membrane, including muscle cells. — Photos: Herbalife Nutrition

Fuel up with carbohydrates

Many bodybuilders see carbohydrates as the enemy, and that can be a mistake.

Yes, highly refined carbohydrates and snacks hardly do the body good.

But the right carbohydrates help to fuel activity, including working muscles.

Good sources can be found in whole grains, beans, fruits and vegetables.

Without adequate carbohydrates to fuel your exercise, some of the protein you’re eating might get burned for fuel.

So, to avoid “burning the candle at both ends,” make sure to include enough high-quality carbs in your diet.

Get some healthy fats

Dietary fat is sometimes underappreciated by some athletes. Like carbohydrates, fats may have an undeserved bad reputation.

Small amounts of the right kinds of fats are very important.

That’s because certain fatty acids, the building blocks of dietary fats, are essential as the body can’t make them.

Fatty acids are a vital structural component of every cell membrane, including muscle cells.

The body relies on fat to fuel moderate intensity, longer-term exercise.

That’s just the type of exercise that might be coupled with a strength training regimen to build mass and lose body fat.

Good sources of fatty acids include nuts. seeds, fatty fish, olive oil and avocado.

Protein intake and timing are key

Protein is crucial for muscle development, but instead of simply focusing on the amount of protein you take in, you should also pay attention to the timing of your intake.

The process of muscle protein synthesis (MPS) is stimulated by strength training activity, but it’s also stimulated when you eat protein.

This is one reason why those looking to bulk up should aim to spread their protein intake evenly over meals and snacks throughout the day.

MPS is greater under these conditions than it is under a more typical pattern in which little protein is consumed in the morning, a bit more at lunch, and then a large amount at dinner.

And, a bedtime snack containing about 25g of protein can help to stimulate MPS during the night.

Both plant-based and animal- based protein sources provide the necessary building blocks for MPS, but different proteins are digested and absorbed at different rates, so taking in a variety of protein sources could allow a prolonged release of amino acids into the system.

For example, dairy products contain two proteins: whey and casein.

Whey is considered a “fast-acting” protein, while casein takes longer for the body to process.

It’s the reason why many athletes turn to dairy proteins since they provide a sustained release of amino acids over a longer period of time.

However, animal proteins aren’t necessary in order to build muscle.

With careful planning and attention to total intake, even vegetarians and vegans can consume enough protein to support muscle development.

A fruit and milk/soy smoothie or yoghurt is a good recovery food option after a strength training session.

Best diet tips

> How to spread your protein intake, and how often should you eat?

Ideally, you’ll want to time your eating so that it works with your workout, but also aim for three regular meals and a couple of snacks – making sure that they are balanced with both carbohydrates and protein.

That way, you can provide your body with the fuel it needs from the carbohydrate, as well as a steady supply of protein to stimulate MPS.

> What to eat before a workout?

You want to start your workout well-hydrated and well-fuelled.

For fluids, drink about two cups of water two to three hours beforehand, then have another cup about 15-20 minutes before.

The length of time between the time you eat your meal and the time you work out will dictate the type of meal you have:

If you have a few hours to digest, then a balanced breakfast that might include foods like eggs, yoghurt, whole-grain toast or cereals, milk/soy milk, and fruit would be appropriate.

If you’ll be eating fairly close to the time you work out, then something like a protein shake will take less time to digest.

Just be sure your shake includes not just protein but a source of carbohydrates, too.

So, in addition to a protein powder and/or milk or milk alternatives, include foods such as fruits and vegetables (such as carrots or sweet potato); you can even toss in some rolled oats.

> What to eat after a workout?

After you exercise, your muscles need some healthy carbohydrates and about 10-20g of high-quality protein to help them repair and recover.

A tub of yoghurt, a turkey or nut butter sandwich, a smoothie made with fruit and milk or soy milk, or a bowl of cereal and fruit are all good recovery foods after a session of strength training.

> What are good snacks in between meals?

Snacks should include the same healthy balance of protein and carbohydrates.

Some snack bars have a good balance of protein and carbohydrates and are convenient to carry with you.

Other quick snacks include a hard-boiled egg with whole grain crackers, yoghurt with fruit, or raw vegetables and hummus.

> How to gain muscle without putting on fat?

In order to build muscle, your body does require additional nutrients and calories, but that doesn’t give you licence to eat as much as you want.

If you take in more calories than you burn – whether from unhealthy, fatty, sugary foods or from a healthy well-balanced diet – those calories will get stored as body fat.

Choosing lean proteins, such as fish, poultry, low-fat dairy products, beans and tempeh, will help ensure that your body gets the protein it needs without excess calories.

Similarly, choose healthy carbohydrates – fruits, vegetables, whole grains – over sugars and refined starches, so you can reap the benefits without the extra calories.

Left: Muscle growth happens with rest, so give yourself a day off to recover from your workout session. — dpa

Designing a plan

You need more than just protein in your diet to get the nutrients you need to build muscle.

The same applies to your exercise routine – doing the right workouts will help you reach this goal faster and more effectively.

Sports performance and fitness specialist, Denise Cervantes, shares her favourite tips for strength training.

Strength training, also known as resistance training, is the main form of exercise you want to focus on to build muscle.

These exercises include weightlifting or bodyweight training (without weights) to improve your strength and strength endurance.

When you are training to increase strength or gain muscle, there are two things you need to make sure you are doing in your training to initiate the physiological change for hypertrophy (muscle growth in size).

First, you need to make sure you are creating mechanical tension, meaning you are using a heavy enough weight to challenge the muscle through a full range of motion.

Secondly, your training must also cause metabolic stress.

You will know you have done so when your muscle becomes fatigued, because it has used all of its stored energy to fuel its contractions to complete the repetitions.

This is a good thing!

These stresses you apply to the muscle will cause damage to the muscle fibres, causing “micro-tears,” which then send signals for the cells to regrow stronger and bigger.

And remember, growth happens with rest, so make sure to follow a well-designed programme that gives you a day to rest the muscle you just worked so it has a chance to recover and grow.

To see continual improvements from strength training, you should gradually increase the weight and number of repetitions.

Pretty soon, you’ll be a lot stronger physically and attracting a lot of attention!

By SUSAN BOWERMAN

Susan Bowerman is senior director, Worldwide Nutrition Education and Training, Herbalife Nutrition. For more information, email starhealth@thestar.com.my. The information provided is for educational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.

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