China, Jordan announce strategic partnership

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Jordanian King Abdullah II in Beijing, capital of China, Sept 9, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and Jordanian King Abdullah II Bin Al-Hussein have signed a joint statement on the establishment of a strategic partnership between the two countries.

"The decision to set up the strategic partnership is an important milestone for our relationship," Xi said as he met with King Abdullah ahead of the signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People.

According to the statement, China and Jordan will hold regular consultations on international and regional affairs of concern to both to reach greater understanding and enhance mutual trust.

The two countries pledged to support each other on issues involving their core interests and boost reciprocal cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road initiative.

They will boost cooperation in trade, investment, industrial capacity, infrastructure, energy, finance and law enforcement, among other sectors, and increase cultural, educational and military-to-military exchanges, said the statement.

In the statement, China and Jordan stressed the significance of peace and stability in the Middle East, upholding that regional problems should be resolved politically in line with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter as well as international laws.

The establishment of the strategic partnership will strongly boost cooperation in various areas and benefit the people of the two countries, Xi said during the meeting.

Xi proposed China and Jordan increase exchanges between political parties, legislatures and ordinary people of both sides, and share their experience of governance.

China will encourage Chinese enterprises to invest in and increase imports from Jordan, said the president.

For his part, King Abdullah said Jordan values the traditional friendship with China and stands ready to boost cooperation with China in pursuit of common development and prosperity.

The king also expressed his hope of cooperating with China to fight terrorism and safeguard world peace.

Later this week, King Abdullah will go to northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region to attend China-Arab States Expo 2015. The expo is a key platform to promote the relationship between China and Arab states.