‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative to boost trade with Jordan — Chinese ambassador

AMMAN — China’s “One Belt, One Road” project will boost its trade and economic ties with Jordan and create new opportunities and prosperity in the Kingdom, China’s Ambassador in Amman Pan Weifang has said. 

The project will further strengthen China’s ties with Jordan, which are “a shining example of China-Arab relations and south-south cooperation”, said Weifang, 

In a recent interview with The Jordan Times on the occasion of the national day of China, marked October 1, the ambassador said Jordan could apply to the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) for loans, sovereign investments or investment guarantees.

The “One Belt One Road” initiative was launched in 2013 and has already reaped rewards, said the ambassador. 

More than 70 countries and organisations have expressed support and willingness to participate, while 34 countries and international organisations have signed inter-governmental cooperation agreements with China, he noted. 

In 2015, the bilateral trade volume between China and the participating countries exceeded $1 trillion, he said.

The network, which connects the Eurasian continent by land, sea, air and cyberspace, is gradually taking shape. China has built 46 overseas cooperation zones with 17 countries along “One Belt One Road” and the flow of goods, capital across borders has become more convenient.

AIIB, the Silk Road fund and other mechanisms are playing important roles in investment and financing, according to Weifang.

“In the Middle East, China is expanding its investments and promoting industrialisation in the Arab countries through a variety of models including a $15 billion special loan with some Arab countries, providing $10 billion in commercial loans and $10 billion as concessional loans,” he explained.

Cooperation between China and Arab countries will bring greater prosperity and stability to Jordan, he added. 

“China expects to further deepen the strategic partnership with Jordan under the framework of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum,” he said, emphasising the importance of turning the willingness to cooperate into practical results.  

Despite the ongoing downturn in the international economy, trade and business cooperation is developing between China and Jordan, which is a founding member of the AIIB, according to the ambassador. 

In 2015, total trade between China and Jordan reached $3.7 billion, a 2.3 per cent increase on 2014.  

China imported about $300 million worth of commodities from Jordan, a 9.2 per cent increase on the previous year. 

“China is Jordan’s second biggest trading partner and eighth biggest export market,” said the ambassador.

In the field of tourism, cooperation is growing too. In recent years, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Jordan increased by over 10 per cent every year. Last year, more than 20,000 Chinese tourists visited Jordan, he said. 

The ambassador noted that several Chinese companies are involved in key projects in Jordan, including the Samra Power Plant Expansion Project and the Aqaba Harbour Storage Facility Construction Project. 

China is also willing to work with Jordan in other fields such as railway, energy development, cultural and educational projects, he added.

On the issue of Syrian refugees, the ambassador said China would continue to help Jordan cope with the burden of hosting a large number of refugees.

“We have offered Jordan our humanitarian assistance of 130 million yuan [around $19.5 million] in four phases, and will continue to offer help in all forms within our capacity,” Weifang said. 

Turning to peace in the Middle East, the ambassador said China actively contributes to peace and stability in the region, and does not seek spheres of influence nor look for any proxy. 

“We firmly support the just cause of the Palestinian people to restore their national rights, and firmly support the peace process in the Middle East,” he noted.

On Syria, Weifang reiterated that China supports a political settlement, advocates peace talks and urges all parties to stop violence.

Beijing also calls for all parties to coordinate in anti-terrorist operations, he added.

China supports a comprehensive strategy that addresses both the symptoms and root causes in the fight against terrorism, according to the ambassador.

China opposes linking terrorism with any specific ethnic group or religion, he said. 

“We attach great importance to Jordan’s unique and important role in the Middle East, [and are] willing to work with Jordan to strengthen communications and coordination in international and regional issues, in order to jointly safeguard the peace, stability and development in this region and in the world,” said the ambassador.