China’s 70th anniversary, achievements marked with seminar

AMMAN — The Chinese embassy and Al Rai Centre for Studies and Training on Wednesday held a seminar celebrating the achievements of the country and the deep-rooted Jordanian-Chinese relations.

The event, titled "Seminar for the 70th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China", was held in Amman. The seminar was attended by the centre's Director Khaled Shogran, Chinese Ambassador to Jordan Pan Weifang, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Director for Asia and the Pacific Malek Twal, President of the Jordanian-Chinese Friendship Committee Senator Ziad Homsi and senior Jordanian and Chinese officials. 

Shogran commended China's growth on all fronts — economic, political and industrial — as it has become “one of the leading powers in the world”. He also voiced appreciation for China's “constant support” to Arab causes, particularly the Palestinian cause.  

For his part, Weifang said that on the 70th anniversary, the State Council Information Office of China published a white book titled "China and the World in the New Era", which highlights the changes that have taken place in the country over the past 70 years under the leadership of the Communist Party of China. 

The Palestinian cause is a pivotal case in the Middle East, and resolving it will end the tensions in the region, with the two-state solution being the only solution, he said, stressing the importance of the international community’s commitment to the related UN resolutions, the Arab Peace Initiative and all affiliated efforts for the cause.

The envoy noted that China supports all peaceful processes in the region.

China supports Palestinians’ right to establish an independent state on the June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital, he said. 

China is calling for new development concepts, such as innovation, “openness” and green energy, as a means to “continue discovering the future”, Weifang said, noting that China developed its economy within a few decades to a volume that took other advanced countries hundreds of years. 

"The gross domestic product (GDP) of China upon its establishment was $30 billion and in 2018 it reached $13.6 trillion, ranking second in the world, with the GDP per capita growing from $70 to $9,470, freeing 1.4 billion people from poverty and granting them a better and more decent life," the ambassador said. 

Jordanian-Chinese diplomatic relations go back to 1977, and ever since, the two countries have regarded each other as “close and trustworthy friends”, Weifang said, adding that His Majesty King Abdullah has visited China eight times since his assumption of constitutional powers.

He added that in 2020, the ninth ministerial meeting, which is part of the Jordan-China Cooperation Forum, will be held in Amman, marking “another historical event in Jordanian-Chinese history”. 

"China has become the third-largest trade partner of Jordan and the second-largest source of imports, with the bilateral trade volume reaching $3.184 billion in 2018...," Weifang said, adding that China’s exports to Jordan totalled $2.97 billion and imports reached $214 million, with potash among the major imports. 

The ambassador said that the Attarat Oil Shale Power Plant, which China helped to fund and construct, is expected to start operations next year, meeting 10 to 15 per cent of Jordan's electricity needs.

He also noted that this November, Jordan will participate for the first time as a guest of honour in the second edition of the China International Imports Expo. 

Negotiations are ongoing between the two countries to implement several projects, including the expansion and rehabilitation of the Salt road, projects related to water and food sectors and the CCTV project for police, in addition to a data centre and HR training workshops.

"Huawei also signed a memorandum of understanding with Jordan, under which three academies for the company will be constructed in cooperation with three universities to provide advanced education in the ICT sector for around 3,000 students and public sector employees," Weifang said. 

Twal in his speech commended China's rapid growth over a short span of time and its comprehensive growth in all fields, highlighting the trade volume and projects ongoing between the two countries, especially the importance of the Huwaei MoU and the Attarat Oil Shale project.