China to boost relations with Jordan
By Cao Desheng (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-12-13 06:13

President Hu Jintao yesterday vowed to strengthen ties with Jordan, saying the bilateral co-operation is in the interests of the two countries.

While maintaining high-level visits, China plans to expand economic partnership as well as co-ordination and co-operation in regional and international affairs with the Jordanian side, Hu said when meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan in Beijing yesterday.

"Both sides can develop various forms of exchanges and collaborations in a broader field under the framework of Sino-Arab Co-operation Forum," Hu said.

Condemning the November bomb attacks in Jordan's capital, Amman, Hu said China is willing to work with the international communities to fight against terrorism to safeguard regional and the world's peace and stability.

On Sunday, King Abdullah visited families of the Chinese victims in the Amman bomb attacks, and met the injured Chinese people, saying that the Jordanian royal family, government and people were deeply concerned with them.

"We appreciates the Jordanian side's concern with the Chinese people," said Liang Guanglie, chief of General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, when holding talks yesterday with Khalid Sarayreh, chairman of Joint Chief of Staff of the Jordanian Armed Forces, who is accompanying the King during the visit.

Abdullah started his official four-day visit to China on Saturday. It is his fourth visit to China since he succeeded to the throne five years ago.

Abdullah said he was committed to strengthening Jordan's traditionally warm ties with Beijing. He also expressed appreciation for the role China is playing in the Middle East peace process, saying he hoped its role continues to grow and strengthen.

After the meeting, the two leaders witnessed signing of the bilateral agreements on technical and economic co-operation.

In addition to Jordan, China has attached importance to developing relations with other Arabian nations.

"Relations between China and Arabian nations have reached a stage of comprehensive development in the field of politics, economy and culture," said Zhai Jun, director of the Foreign Ministry's Department of West Asian and North African Affairs.

From January to September, trade volume between China and the Arabian nations reached US$ 37.7 billion, more than the total number of last year. It is expected to hit US$ 40 billion this year, according to Zhai.

"The partnership in contracted project, investment, energy and communications has also been intensified," Zhai said at a symposium on Sino-African relations and dialogue on Chinese and Arabian Civilizations in Beijing yesterday.

(China Daily 12/13/2005 page2)