Petra, May 21 (Petra) – In a move to deepen cultural and tourism ties, the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority (PDTRA) signed a sister city agreement on Wednesday with the Municipality of Jiayuguan, a city in China’s Gansu Province.

The partnership aims to strengthen cooperation across tourism, culture, economy, and community development, while spotlighting Petra and the Great Wall of China as iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites and two of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

The agreement was signed during an official ceremony by Fares Braizat, PDTRA Chairman, and Zhao Shumin, director of Jiayuguan Municipal Bureau of culture and tourism. The event was attended by Chinese Ambassador to Jordan Chen Chuandong, Spanish Ambassador Miguel de Lucas and a number of officials and community representatives from Petra.

Braizat described the agreement as a strategic milestone that will open new doors for collaboration and cultural exchange between Jordan and China. He emphasized that both Petra and the Great Wall are symbols of rich human history and shared global heritage, and this partnership is an opportunity to amplify Petra’s visibility in Chinese and international markets.

Zhao Shumin echoed those sentiments, saying the sister city relationship offers a powerful platform for mutual understanding and collaboration. She noted that the initiative will enhance the international profile of both destinations, encouraging more interaction with tourists, cultural institutions, and investors.

Under the agreement, both sides will pursue a range of joint initiatives including cultural and tourism events, educational exchange, investment promotion, and cooperation in traditional industries. The partnership is designed to support local development and position both Petra and Jiayuguan as vibrant global heritage destinations.

//Petra//WH
21/05/2025 11:09:26