China presents customs department with 10 devices to detect illegal shipments

AMMAN — China on Thursday presented the Jordan Customs Department (JCD) with 10 high-tech detection devices to enhance the department’s capability to more effectively identify illegal shipments entering or transitting in Jordan, and secure the country’s borders.

Worth $12 million, the 10 advanced devices employing X-ray and computed tomography (CT) in the scanning of bags and parcels, make Jordan the only country in the region to adopt this technology, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.  

The equipment was handed over during a ceremony held at Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA), with the attendance of Finance Minister Mohamad Al-Ississ, Transport Minister Khalid Saif and Chinese Ambassador to Jordan Pan Weifang. 

Al-Ississ said that the Chinese grant was triggered by security challenges resulting from the political conditions of neighbouring countries, stressing that Jordan attaches great importance to mutual relations with China, Petra reported.

The Chinese diplomat noted that he was pleased to hand over the devices, reiterating his country’s commitment to provide Jordan with technical and financial support in various fields.

Lauding the gesture, JCD Director General Maj. Gen. Abdul Majeed Rahmaneh voiced the department’s appreciation for the Chinese efforts towards enhancing the Kingdom’s borders and security system, pointing out that the new devices were designed to detect drugs, as well as hazardous and dual-use items along and explosive substances, among others.

To ease the entrance of passengers and goods into the Kingdom, the 10 devices have reportedly been installed at various customs points, including some in QAIA cargo and passenger areas, the Amman post office and King Hussein Bridge, in addition to customs centres at the Jaber, Omari and Karameh border crossings, among others.