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AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday held talks that focused on enhancing bilateral relations in different fields and the latest developments at the regional and international arenas.

During one-on-one discussions, followed by a broader meeting between the two sides, both leaders stressed the "solid" ties between Jordan and China and voiced their keenness on enhancing them at all levels, especially at the political, economic, military and commercial levels, according to a Royal Court statement.

King Abdullah described both countries' announcement to establish strategic partnership relations as a "new chapter" that would take bilateral ties to a new level of fruitful cooperation, especially in economic fields.

His Majesty noted that Jordan looks forward to an effective participation in the 2015 China-Arab States Expo currently hosted by China's Yinchuan city, where the Kingdom is participating as an honorary guest.

Talks also tackled the latest developments at the regional and international levels, especially efforts to combat terrorism and extremism through adopting a comprehensive approach that involves all relevant and effective parties, the statement added.

In this regard, Xi praised Jordan’s efforts in the war against terrorism and extremism, stressing his country’s willingness to help the Kingdom deal with the Syrian refugee crisis. 

They also reviewed the latest developments in the Middle East, highlighting the need for a comprehensive political solution to the Syrian crisis conflict. In addition, they discussed endeavours to revive peace negotiations between the Palestinian-Israeli sides on the basis of the two-state solution.

At the end of the talks, a joint statement was issued between the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the People’s Republic of China announcing the establishment of strategic partnership relations between both countries.

According to the statement, the King and Xi stressed the importance of carrying on with efforts to enhance friendship and cooperation ties between the two countries in a manner that would serve the interests of both peoples, as well as regional and world peace, stability and progress.

Establishing the strategic partnership ties, as agreed upon by both sides, require continued communication and coordination over bilateral relations and regional and international issues of mutual interest so as to enhance common values and trust between both countries, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

Other points the two sides agreed on include holding regular meetings between the Jordanian and Chinese foreign ministries at the level of leaders or high-ranking officials, intensifying communication between both countries’ governments and legislative institutions, and enhancing relations at local levels.

Jordan and China also agreed to mutually support their vital interests, with the Kingdom stressing its commitment to the “one China principle”, renewing its position on Taiwan as an integral part of the Chinese mainland and supporting “the Chinese government’s efforts to achieve peaceful development across the Taiwan Strait and its efforts to reunite the country”.

For its part, Beijing pledged to support Jordan to maintain its security and stability and enhance its economic and social development.

Jordan also highlighted the importance of the Chinese initiative to participate in building “the economic belt of the Silk Road” and “the naval silk road of the 21st century”.

The joint statement also called for enhancing cooperation in the fields of energy, investment and infrastructure projects, that include railways, roads, communications, electricity, oil and natural gas pipelines, water desalination, waste treatment, shale oil and nuclear and renewable energy projects.

In this regard, China will continue encouraging its companies to invest in Jordan, with the Kingdom pledging to facilitate the work of Chinese companies investing in the country.

The communiqué indicated that the two sides would be exchanging information regarding security, judiciary and law enforcement, in addition to exerting joint efforts to fight terrorism, organised crime and cross-border crimes.

Enhancing cooperation in the fields of culture, education, science, technology, media, tourism, health and sports, in addition to establishing higher education institutions in applied technology between the two countries were also highlighted in the joint statement. 

Both sides also stressed the significance of joining efforts to preserve the UN Charter’s principles, respecting the sovereignty of countries, non-interference in the internal affairs of other nations and solving conflicts between countries through dialogue, agreement and negotiations. 

They also stressed their support to international efforts aimed at making essential reforms in the UN and UN Security Council to enhance their effectiveness and capability to address threats and challenges.

Following the discussions, King Abdullah and Xi attended the signing of a technical and economic cooperation grant agreement to provide Jordan with a 130 million Chinese yuan (around JD14 million), signed by Planning and International Cooperation Minister Imad Fakhoury and Chinese Minister of Commerce Gao Hucheng

In 2014, the trade volume between Jordan and China reached $3.6 billion and while the trade balance is tilted in favour of China, the country’s exports to China went up by 200 per cent from the previous year. These were mainly potash and phosphate, valued at around $300 million while the Kingdom’s imports from China stood at $3.3 billion.

Speaking to the Jordan News Agency, Petra, Fakhoury said the summit meeting between King Abdullah and China’s president was the culmination of efforts by His Majesty over eight visits to China, which this time saw the signing of a joint statement on establishing strategic relations between the two countries. 

He added that the first agreement which Jordan signed with China includes an additional grant to support Jordan and its development programme in light of the burdens borne by the Kingdom as a result of regional turbulence.

YINCHUAN, China – The 2015 China-Arab States Expo starts Thursday in Yinchuan, the capital of Ningxia Hui autonomous region, Jordan is taking part as an honorary guest with the largest pavilion. 

The event, from September 10 to 13, will be attended by His Majesty King Abdullah and senior government officials and delegates representing public and private entities. 

The Jordanian pavilion size will be around 1,000 square metres, officials said.

The expo was launched in 2010 as a means to expand economic cooperation between China and Arab countries, according to Jordanian government officials who are in Yinchuan to prepare for Jordan's participation. 

Dozens of public and private companies will take part in the activities of the event, which is expected to see the signing of six agreements and two memoranda of understanding in the fields of tourism, telecommunications, infrastructure, energy and education. 

The expo will be held under the theme “Spreading Silk Road Spirit, Deepen China-Arab Cooperation”. 

Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Maha Ali told reporters that the event will be an opportunity for Jordan to attract Chinese investments and boost bilateral trade, adding that being an honourary guest Jordan will seize the opportunity to shed the light on its commercial, cultural and tourism sectors.

President of the Jordan Investment Commission (JIC) Montaser Oqlah said that Jordan will have two pavilions, a cultural and a commercial, to showcase the products of Jordan firms. 

An economic Jordanian-Chinese forum will be held on the sidelines of the expo, he said. 

Jordan and China will sign several agreements on Thursday on the sidelines the forum. These will include an agreement on establishing a Chinese-Jordanian university, which will be the first Chinese university in the Arab world, besides a railway agreement. 

Several agreements will also be signed between Jordan’s private sector entities and its Chinese counterpart in several fields. 

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday visited the headquarters of Hanergy Holding Group, a Chinese mega company specialised in alternative and renewable energy. 

During the visit, the King met with the company’s Chairman Li Hejun and discussed with him ways to boost cooperation and to benefit from the group's expertise in its field of business, according to a Royal Court statement. 

On the sidelines of the World Economic Forum that was held at the Dead Sea in May, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Jordan and China to build solar energy and wind power projects in the Kingdom. 

It was also agreed that Hanergy would provide Jordan with a grant to expand the national grid’s capacity. 

On the sidelines of the Royal visit, Hanergy and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources will sign an agreement to build these projects to provide 1,000 megawatts (of electricity), according to the statement. 

During his visit to the group’s headquarters, King Abdullah commended Hanergy’s achievements, pointing out that Jordan is looking forward to benefiting from the Chinese group’s experience through cooperation between the firm and concerned Jordanian ministries, along with the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority.   

His Majesty was briefed by the group’s chairman on its projects in different parts of the world, noting that the company is interested in increasing its investments in Jordan and plans to reach other markets through the Kingdom. 

King Abdullah toured an exhibition showcasing the company’s energy-generating products and the mega-projects that the company is implementing at the domestic and global levels. He was briefed by company’s representatives on the technologies it uses in its hydropower, solar and wind energy applications and on the ways that clean energy can save costs and reduce the traditional fuels adverse impact on the environment, according to the statement. 

The exhibition showcases cars that completely rely on solar power and are considered a benchmark in this industry. 

Speaking to the Jordan News Agency, Petra, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Ibrahim Saif, who is accompanying the King on the visit, described Hanergy as one of the largest companies which has developed new ways for energy generation, harnessing numerous technologies that have enabled the energy giant to acquire a growing share in the world market. 

He said the agreement that will be signed on the sidelines of the King’s visit to China will pave the way for the company to start implementing the first phase of its investments in Jordan, estimated at $1 billion, pointing out that this first part includes producing 1,000 megawatts of electricity, which represents one-third of the country’s needs of renewable energy. 

This project will be implemented at stages and it will go hand-in-hand with other development projects, including the establishment of a factory and a training centre for the human resources that will be working at the facility, according to the minister. 

He said that work is under way to decide where the project will be set up, adding that the facility’s operation will not only be confined to solar energy applications, but also will include several other technologies that can provide energy solutions. 

AMMAN — King’s Military Adviser and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff Gen. Mashal Al Zaben met on Wednesday with General Fang Fenghui, chief of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. 

The meeting was held on the sidelines of the current visit of His Majesty King Abdullah, the Supreme Commander of the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF) to China. 

At the meeting, the two sides stressed the solid relations between the two countries and reviewed aspects of cooperation and coordination regarding issues of mutual concern as well as exchange of expertise between the armies of the two countries. They also discussed regional and global challenges and ways to deal with them, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

A military cooperation agreement was signed between the JAF and the Chinese army, stipulating a 30 million Chinese Yuan (an equivalent of around $4.7 million) grant to provide the JAF with military equipment.

AMMAN – HRH Prince Ali has decided to run again for next year's FIFA presidency elections, he announced on Wednesday.

The Prince made his announcement in a speech during a ceremony held at downtown Amman's ancient Roman Theatre attended by HRH Princess Alia, HRH Prince Hamzah, Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour, Amman's Mayor Aqel Biltaji and several government official and diplomats, in addition to many locals and foreign media representatives. 

Prince Ali is the third heavyweight to declare candidacy, following UEFA President Michel Platini of France, and former Asia vice-president Chung Mong-joon of South Korea, according to Reuters.

"I stand with the people who love football as I do, people who love justice and fair play, people who know in their hearts the power of the sport to change lives for the better. Friends, I stand here in this ancient place in the timeless heart of Amman to once again launch my candidacy for the presidency of FIFA," the prince said.

Prince Ali recalled that he was the only person who had the courage to challenge outgoing FIFA chief Sepp Blatter. 

Prince Ali lost by 133-73 votes to Blatter who later announced he was stepping down from the position amid the worst crisis FIFA witnessed following arrests of its officials and others two days before the election.

"I ran because I believe that FIFA needs change and I had the courage to fight for change when others were afraid," he added. 

Reflecting on the previous elections, the Prince said: 

"I conceded that election not because I was not the best candidate, but because others were using me to make room for themselves. They did not have the guts to run, but I did. Ever since President Blatter promised his resignation, just a few days later, they have been scrambling to secure the job for themselves," he added.  

Prince Ali stressed that he is running for the presidency race because he is advocating a cause. 

“I have seen with my own eyes how Jordanians have overcome some of the greatest adversity to play this sport and through it find an identity, a living and a future. Above all, they found dignity,” the prince noted. 

Prince Ali, who is the president of Jordan Football Association, noted that the change can be made in FIFA through a new leadership. 

“I do not believe that FIFA can give this sport back to the people of the world without new leadership, untainted by the practices of the past,” he added.

Prince Ali noted that he thought long and hard about how to reform FIFA. 

“It will be a difficult task. We must overcome deep-seated corruption and political deal-making,” he added. 

He noted that as a president of FIFA, he will listen to all. 

“I will stand up for the players. I will stand up for the fans. I will stand up for the member associations, officials and sponsors who want to do things the right way,” he added. 

Prince Ali also stressed that FIFA’s resources should be allocated for the development of the game. 

“What comes into FIFA should not be withheld, but given back to you in the interest of developing the game,” he added.  

Candidates with nominations from five national associations must officially register their declarations with FIFA by October 26, according to Reuters.

RAMTHA — MP Amjad Majali, head of the Lower House committee investigating energy-related files, and panel members on Wednesday visited the nuclear reactor project for research and training at the Jordan University of Science and Technology.

The committee was accompanied by Khalid Toukan, chairman of the Jordan Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC). The official remarked that the cost of the reactor stood at $159 millions, $83 millions of which was secured through a Korean loan while the rest came from the budget of JAEC.

Project Supervisor Khlaif Abu Salem said the work on the project, which started in 2010, will end on February 17, 2016. He added that by September 3 this year, 92 per cent of the scheme was completed at a cost of $110 million.

AMMAN — Professional associations will on Thursday and Friday organise a university education fair at the Professional Associations Complex, according to a statement from the organisers.

The fair will be open between 10am and 6pm on Thursday and between 4pm and 10pm on Friday, with the participation of private universities, university service offices and representatives of Malaysian universities.

The event provides students and their parents a good opportunity to be acquainted with available options for joining local and foreign universities, tuition fees and available specialisations.

AMMAN — The Council of Ministers on Wednesday reviewed a report by the Water Ministry on violations on water networks and resources in August.

During a ministry campaign implemented in cooperation with security institutions and other relevant bodies, authorities in August seized and confiscated one drilling rig used for digging illegal wells, sealed 11 illegal wells and dealt with 655 assaults on water pipes.

Moreover, it dealt with 51 acts of trespassing on state lands in the Jordan Valley and 484 on the King Abdullah I Canal. Since the beginning of the campaign in 2013, a total of 672 wells have been sealed and 35 drilling rigs seized and confiscated.

AMMAN — The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) personnel have foiled several fraud crimes during the past few months, a PSD statement said Wednesday.

The fraudsters attract their victims and deliver them several genuine $100 bills as bait, before they come again to receive the full amount.

CID teams carried out raids that resulted in apprehending seven suspects and seizing several weapons and counterfeit dollars, the PSD said, adding that the suspects were interrogated and referred to court.

Moreover, CID cadres have in foiled nine fraud plots with amounts ranging between $16,000 and $1.5 million.

AMMAN — To improve its standing on media freedoms, Jordan needs to amend a wide set of related laws, indicated UNESCO on Tuesday, as the government pledged more efforts to ensure higher levels of freedom.

The in-depth assessment by UNESCO of the media landscape in Jordan was based on the UN body’s Media Development Indicators (MDI), conducted as part of the Support to Media in Jordan Project, funded by the European Union.

It was released Tuesday and it called for several measures to be taken in different areas, in order to boost media freedoms in the Kingdom.

The study urged a comprehensive review of laws that limit freedom of expression or press freedom, or encourage secrecy, including the Temporary Law of Protection of State Secrets and Documents. The move is repeatedly highlighted by media watchdogs and presented as a guarantee for more freedoms.

“The Jordanian Access to Information Law needs to be substantially revised so as to bring it into line with international standards and better national practices, and public bodies in Jordan need to take necessary measures to ensure effective enforcement of the law,” read the assessment.

Stressing the importance of the appraisal, Guy Berger, director of the Division of Freedom of Expression and Media Development at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, said Jordan is the 5^th Arab state in which the MDI assessment has been made; the other four are Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Palestine.

Development of media contributes to the development of the overall economy and society, said Berger, adding that the assessment provides significant recommendations on how to move towards enhancing media freedoms in the country.

Minister of State for Media Affairs Mohammad Momani said the government is committed to enhancing media freedoms, allowing them to reach higher levels.

He added that more efforts are needed to increase the professionalism of media. 

“The government supports media freedom as it is one of the main factors for national stability,” said Momani, adding that there is also need for more training of public officials to disseminate information, because lack of information leads to spreading rumours and “causes a headache for the government”.

‘Amending legislation key to freedoms’

The assessment urged the government to conduct a review of laws that are restrictive of media freedoms, including the Press and Publications Law, the Audiovisual Media Law, the Jordan Press Association Law, the State Security Court Law, the Anti-Terrorism Law and the Contempt of Courts Law.

Limitations on who may practise journalism should be removed, the assessment indicated, including laws that prohibit those who are not members of the Jordan Press Association from working or presenting themselves as journalists.

To ensure more freedoms, military courts should not have the power to handle cases relating publication or expression involving media personnel or civilians, said the assessment.

“Officials and public bodies should stop using soft containment measures to exert control over the media. Private actors should also refrain from seeking to influence media content through illegitimate means,” the report suggested.

More recommendations 

The assessment urged public bodies not to discriminate between media outlets when providing information about their activities, the assessment indicated. This necessitates putting in place a system to ensure that the allocation of advertising by public agencies to media outlets is done in a transparent manner, on the basis of fair and objective criteria.

Meanwhile, the report also indicated that there is a need for a clear and appropriate code of conduct for media, in order to make it easy to assess complaints.

The media sector as a whole could make more efforts to ensure that it serves all the people living in Jordan, in terms of both giving voice to their perspectives and of providing them with the information they need, the UNESCO report said.

According to the assessment, organisations providing media training and education should endeavour to coordinate more effectively to ensure that training responds to the real needs of the media sector in Jordan.

The report also urged the government to look into ways to improve connectivity prices as part of a broader strategy to promote greater penetration of both smartphones and access to Internet.