Latest news with #Anbar
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
Turkish man's journey of cross-cultural harmony in rural China
Anbar promotes locally made soy sauce via live-streaming at a soy sauce factory in Hejiang County, Luzhou City on May 28, 2025. – Xinhua photo CHENGDU (June 19): In Ruifeng village, Luzhou city, southwest China's Sichuan Province, a unique sight has become a part of daily life: a foreigner working alongside villagers in rice paddies and vegetable plots. Burak Anbar from Istanbul, Türkiye, has not only embraced rural Chinese life but also turned it into a story of love and cultural exchange. Living in China for over a decade, Anbar has captured the essence of rural life through his camera lens, winning countless fans with his portrayals. More importantly, he has found love and built a family in this faraway land. 'It's not where you come from that matters, but the attitude with which you embrace new life,' Anbar said. When Anbar first arrived in China in 2010 at the age of 25, his understanding of China was essentially limited to Jackie Chan movies and old documentaries. He thought China would be underdeveloped, but upon arriving in Yiwu, a bustling trade hub in east China's Zhejiang Province, his expectations were shattered. 'This small city was filled with foreigners and international restaurants – it was utterly shocking,' he recalled. What truly won him over were the small, everyday moments. 'In Türkiye, we ask, 'How are you?' Here, people say, 'Have you eaten?' It feels like a genuine invitation to share a meal,' Anbar said. It was during his time in Yiwu that he met his future wife, Zhang Hongying. Despite a temporary separation during his military service in 2012, fate brought them closer when she visited Türkiye alone. 'Wait for me. I'll return to marry you,' he promised. In 2013, Anbar first visited Zhang's rural hometown in Luzhou. 'We hiked for an hour up bamboo-covered hills with no paved roads – just pure nature,' he said. The warm hospitality and the simplicity of rural life resonated with him on a deep level. The couple married in 2014, blending Turkish and Chinese customs into their daily lives. Anbar (rear, centre) poses for photos with his family at a soy sauce factory in Hejiang County, Luzhou City on May 28, 2025. – Xinhua photo In 2021, Anbar and his wife decided to move back to rural Luzhou to embrace a simpler life. Settling in, he was amazed by the village's transformation. 'Even the most remote Chinese villages have roads, electricity and delivery services,' he said. He was also struck by the honesty of Chinese farmers and the charm of rural living. 'People don't lock their doors during the day, and they invite neighbors over during festivals,' he said. However, the language barrier was a challenge. Most villagers speak the Sichuan dialect, which Anbar found difficult to understand. 'When I got anxious, I'd start speaking Turkish, making communication even harder,' he recalled. However, he persevered, learning the rhythms of farm labor alongside his in-laws and gradually mastering the local dialect. With a keen eye for authenticity, Anbar documented rural life through short videos, quickly gaining popularity online. 'You have to understand the Chinese way of thinking. If you don't hold a hoe, you won't understand farmers' language,' he said. Now skilled in all kinds of farm work, he has become a fluent speaker of the local dialect. Anbar also used live-streaming to promote local specialties such as soy sauce, Sichuan peppercorns and brown sugar, helping farmers expand their market access and boost incomes. Anbar's daughter shows an oil-paper umbrella, a national-level intangible cultural heritage, in Hejiang County, Luzhou City on May 28, 2025. – Xinhua photo In May this year, his father visited rural Sichuan for the first time and was astonished by the differences between rural China and Türkiye. 'Many rural areas in Türkiye still lack internet access, and mountain roads are difficult. But in China, even the remotest villages have roads and electricity,' Anbar's father said. In February 2023, when a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck southern Türkiye, Anbar joined a rescue team to provide translation and logistical support. 'Seeing Chinese people go all out to help my country moved me beyond words,' he said. In June 2023, Anbar attended the opening ceremony of the Turkish Consulate in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan, bringing Luzhou specialties as gifts. 'I wanted my compatriots and foreign friends to experience China's culture and cuisine,' he explained. As a 'foreign son-in-law' in China, Anbar aspires to become a bridge for cross-cultural exchange. 'I will share more videos on international social media platforms, inviting global friends to discover and experience the beauty of rural China while learning about China's culture and development,' he said. – Xinhua Burak Anbar China istanbul Xinhua
The National
7 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Iraq and Syria strengthen ties with reopening of key border crossing
Iraq and Syria reopened the main border crossing for travellers and goods on Saturday, Iraqi authorities announced. The move is the latest sign of warming relations between Baghdad and Damascus, after months of strained ties following the ousting of the Bashar Al Assad regime from Syria. Al Qaim border crossing, about 400km west of Baghdad, in Anbar province, was closed when Hayat Tahrir Al Sham-led Syrian rebels took control of Damascus in December. 'The crossing has been reopened after obtaining the necessary approvals from the high-ranking authorities,' the Iraqi Border Points Commission said in a statement. It added that the first Syrian lorry and passengers had entered Iraq. Resuming traffic at Al Qaim border crossing 'marks a significant step in enhancing economic co-operation, which will meet the needs of both countries and contribute to achieving economic stability and development', the statement added. When HTS took over, Iraq cautiously welcomed the regime change in Damascus and called for an inclusive political process. It has since expressed concern over the situation in Syria, warning of the danger of a resurgent ISIS. Iraqi officials have said the number of extremist group militants has increased and they have seized more weapons. ISIS overran large parts of Iraq and Syria in the summer of 2014, declaring a caliphate that took in substantial areas in both countries. During that time, it led a campaign of widespread and systematic abuse of international human rights and humanitarian law. Iraqi troops, backed by a US-led international coalition, reclaimed all ISIS-held territory in Iraq in late 2017, after three years of fighting. However, ISIS fighters still carry out sporadic attacks, mainly in rural areas. In recent weeks, relations have warmed with senior delegations visiting Baghdad and Damascus. The Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani invited Syria's President Ahmad Al Shara to the Arab Summit meeting in Baghdad last month. However, Mr Al Shara did not attend due to widespread objections from Iraqis for his past links to Al Qaeda in Iraq. He served as a field leader for the extremist group fighting American and Iraqi troops after the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein.
The Star
7 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Iraq reopens Syria crossing for trade and passenger traffic
FILE PHOTO: Iraqi army commanders visit by helicopter a military base near a border crossing with Syria at Al-Qaim, Iraq January 18, 2021. Picture taken January 18, 2021. REUTERS/John Davison/File Photo ANBAR (Reuters) -Iraq has officially reopened the Qaim border crossing with Syria for trade and passenger traffic, a spokesman for the Iraqi border authority said on Saturday, marking a key step in efforts to normalise relations and revive economic ties between the two countries. 'The Qaim crossing is now fully operational for both cargo trucks and civilian movement,' the spokesman told Reuters, adding that the reopening followed joint security assessments by Iraqi and Syrian officials. The move comes three months after Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani visited Baghdad and urged Iraq to resume cross-border trade. The crossing had been shut in the wake of the revolt that toppled President Bashar al-Assad and the ensuing years of conflict that destabilised the region. The reopening is also seen as a sign of warming ties between Baghdad and Syria's new leadership under President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who has sought to re-establish diplomatic and economic relations with regional neighbours. Iraqi officials say the two governments have intensified coordination on border security and trade facilitation since al-Sharaa took office last year. 'This crossing will serve as a strategic corridor for commodity trade between Iraq and Syria,' said Turki al-Mahallawi, mayor of the town of al-Qaim, where the border post is located. (Reporting by Kamal Mohammed in Anbar; Writing by Ahmed Rasheed; Editing by Toby Chopra)
Zawya
12-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Iraq's OEC set to implement 30 oil projects as part of 5-year plan: Report
Iraqi government-owned Oil Exploration Company (OEC) expects to implement more than 30 projects as part of its five-year plan, a news report said. The most prominent projects are in the Western Habbaniyah, close to Baghdad, in Anbar Governorate, and south of Al-Faka in Maysan Governorate, Al-Sabaah, an Arabic newspaper reported, citing OEC Director General Dr. Osama Raouf Hussein. Two other important projects are located in Nineveh, near Mosul, the report said. More than 200 formations have not yet been explored or drilled, Hussein said, adding that these promising reserves will translate into oil or gas after exploratory drilling operations. The company is undertaking seismic surveys, with potentially 50 geophysical investigations taking place after the data is processed to determine exploration locations, the official said. The Western Desert is among the most promising gas regions, Hussein said. OEC will work on several projects in the coming years, with 90 percent of these being gas-related, the report stated. (Writing by P Deol; Editing by Anoop Menon) ( Subscribe to our Projects' PULSE newsletter that brings you trustworthy news, updates and insights on project activities, developments, and partnerships across sectors in the Middle East and Africa.
Zawya
05-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Iraq eyes mining sector to support economic diversification efforts
Iraq is planning to develop its untapped mining sector as part of its broader economic diversification strategy, a top government official said. Mudher Muhammad Saleh, financial advisor to the Iraqi Prime Minister, told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) the government has signed memorandums of understanding with international companies to explore and develop key mineral resources, including phosphate, sulfpur, lithium, and copper He said the total value of Iraq's natural resources is estimated at more than $16 trillion, adding that the mining sector is expected to contribute at least 10 percent to Iraq's GDP during its initial development phase. Key mineral resources Phosphate: Iraq ranks second worldwide, holding over 10 billion tonnes of phosphate reserves, located mainly in the Akashat area of Anbar province. Sul ph ur: The Mishraq area in Nineveh Province is home to one of the world's largest free sulphur fields. Silica: Najaf and western Iraq have high-purity silica deposits. Iron, manganese, copper, and gold deposits in the Kurdistan Region, western Iraq, and central Iraq. Rare minerals in southern Iraq (Writing by Majda Muhsen; Editing by Anoop Menon) (
