Amman, Aug. 17 (Petra)–Politicians and analysts said His Majesty
King Abdullah II’s interview with China’s Xinhua News Agency
highlighted the close ties between Jordan and China, as well as
Jordan’s strategic location and the skills of its young people.

Speaking to the Jordan News Agency (Petra), they said the King’s
interview conveyed Jordan’s appreciation to China’s leadership,
government, and people for the strong cooperation between the two
countries across various fields, particularly economic cooperation,
as well as China’s support for Jordan’s political positions and
efforts to promote stability in the region.

They noted that the King said China is a partner in building Jordan’s
public sector capacity and highlighted Chinese investments in
Jordan’s energy sector.

Former Minister of Government Communication Faisal Shboul said the
King conveyed important messages to both Chinese and Jordanian
audiences, stressing the strength of bilateral relations and their
development over the years across various fields, benefiting the two
countries and their peoples.

China is among the countries supporting Jordan’s diplomatic
positions, particularly on the Palestinian issue, which the King
described as Jordan’s central cause and one that will feature
prominently in his talks with the Chinese leadership, alongside
efforts to reach a permanent, comprehensive, and just solution,
Shboul said.

The King’s message through Xinhua was also one of appreciation for
China’s support, particularly its investments in Jordan, given the
Kingdom’s strategic geographic location and promising production base
with access to the Chinese market, he added.

Shboul said the King highlighted China’s advanced economic model and
the shared interests and benefits between the two countries, noting
that Jordan-China relations have been built steadily over the years
on “sincerity, trust, and confidence.”

Despite Jordan being located in a region affected by conflict, the
King’s openness and leadership have helped turn challenges into
opportunities, while Jordan continues to pursue development and
distance itself from regional conflicts, he said.

Former Minister of Public Sector Development Maher Al-Madadha said
the King reaffirmed in his interview that Jordan has very strong ties
with China, a global economic power, while Jordan serves as a
manufacturing and export hub with a strategic location and investment
opportunities.

The King’s remarks demonstrate Jordan’s efforts to develop its
economic model by drawing on China’s advanced development experience
and exploiting available opportunities, particularly given China’s
advanced expertise in technology, artificial intelligence, and future
technologies, while Jordan has a highly skilled young workforce in
these fields, Al-Madadha said.

He also highlighted the King’s emphasis on promoting tourism and
capitalizing on Jordan’s location, natural assets, and long
historical heritage, describing the Kingdom as a vast repository of
history and heritage that can be further developed for tourism.

Chairman of the Jordanian-Chinese Friendship Committee Jamal Al-Dmour
said the King’s interview with Xinhua summarized the state of
Jordan-China relations, which have lasted for more than five decades
and are based on “honesty, openness, trust, and cooperation” aimed at
promoting the welfare and interests of both peoples.

The interview highlighted shared interests between the two countries,
with China having supported Jordan diplomatically on numerous issues,
backed its positions in efforts to promote regional stability, and
supported the Palestinian cause, Al-Dmour said.

Coordination with China continues on numerous issues, he said, noting
the King’s remarks that China is among the world’s influential powers
and has supported Jordan in humanitarian relief efforts in Gaza and
provided assistance over decades of friendly relations based on
trust.

Jordan-China ties have also expanded beyond traditional relations to
encompass trade, investment, energy, infrastructure, and education,
with Chinese investment in Jordan’s energy sector helping the Kingdom
reach a stage of self-sufficiency, he added.

Al-Dmour said the King stressed that bilateral ties are firmly rooted
and focused on promoting innovation and greater prosperity, while
Jordan’s strategic geographic location and position along historic
Silk Road routes offer significant economic opportunities for the
Kingdom and its highly skilled young people.

//Petra// AF