Jordan, China looking to enhance cooperation

AMMAN — Jordan and China agreed on Tuesday to work towards boosting cooperation to the best interest of their peoples.

During a meeting between Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour and China’s Deputy Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui in Amman, discussions covered bilateral relations and the latest developments in the Palestinian-Israeli peace talks. 

Ensour said Sino-Jordanian relations are constantly developing in various fields, highlighting the ongoing visit exchanges by officials from both sides.  

The most recent one was a visit by Planning Minister Ibrahim Saif to China earlier this month as a follow-up to His Majesty King Abdullah’s September visit, the premier added. 

He asserted the government’s full support for a strategic partnership agreement that is being drafted by the Foreign Ministry and its Chinese counterpart, noting that the two ministries are about to prepare a memorandum of understanding in this regard. 

During the meeting, attended by the accompanying delegation and China’s Ambassador to Jordan Gao Yusheng, Ensour highlighted prospects for cooperation, noting that the Kingdom is one of the major producers of phosphate and potash. 

“We welcome the opening up of Chinese markets on a strategic basis, and the building of factories for fertilisers manufactured out of these compounds,” Ensour said.

Drawing attention to the Kingdom’s interest in energy projects, he said Jordan would be interested in benefiting from Chinese expertise and technologies in exploiting oil shale. 

He also welcomed the launch of Chinese investments in Jordan, noting that the Ministry of Higher Education is intent on establishing a joint government-owned technical college. 

The Chinese minister expressed his country’s interest in importing larger quantities of phosphate and potash, adding that Chinese companies are encouraged to set up investment projects in the Kingdom, especially in energy and infrastructure. 

Highlighting King Abdullah’s successful visit to China, he said President Xi Jinping welcomes His Majesty’s participation in the sixth Sino-Arab Forum, which is a platform to discuss ways to boost cooperation between China and the Arab world. 

The premier also expressed Jordan’s appreciation of China’s constant support for the rights of Palestinians, while the Chinese diplomat reaffirmed that Amman and Beijing share the same views regarding the issue of Palestine. 

Also on Tuesday, Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh held talks with the Chinese official, focusing on ways to increase economic and commercial relations and how Jordan can further benefit from Chinese expertise. 

The talks also addressed the latest developments of the Middle East peace process and the Syrian conflict.