Amman, March 16 (Petra) -- Chinese Ambassador to Jordan Chen Chuandong said Jordan and China share a strong partnership in advancing modernisation and development, backed by integrated economic relations, deep friendship and promising prospects for cooperation.

Chen's comments were made Sunday in a conference on the work and outcomes of 2025 "Two Sessions" of the National People's Congress of China and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, which recently concluded.

He noted that 2025 marks the tenth anniversary of the strategic partnership between China and Jordan, saying that China is committed to collaborating with Jordan on joint development initiatives that contribute to peace, stability and growth in the region and beyond.

He encouraged Jordanian institutions to participate in Chinese exhibitions to promote unique Jordanian products, particularly dates and olive oil, highlighting the extensive agricultural cooperation between the two countries.

On Palestine, the ambassador reaffirmed that the two-state solution is the only viable path to establishing an independent and sovereign Palestinian state. He condemned Israel's ongoing occupation of Palestinian territories, its expansion of settlements and its recent aggressive actions against refugee camps in the occupied West Bank, which he said violate international law and Security Council resolutions, resulting in significant displacement of Palestinians since 1967.

Ambassador Chen stated, "As the occupying power, Israel must fulfill its obligations under international humanitarian law, lift restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip and restore electricity supply to the region."

He denounced "collective punishment" against Gazans, urging all parties to engage in constructive negotiations. He expressed support for the Gaza reconstruction plan endorsed at the recent Arab Summit in Cairo.

On Syria, he emphasised the importance of the international community's role in safeguarding Syria's sovereignty and supporting its people in determining their own future.

The ambassador indicated that China aligns with the positions of Syria's neighbouring nations, particularly regarding ending armed conflict, protecting civilians and developing reconstruction plans that respect the will of the Syrian people through dialogue.

Chen praised the Arab countries, including Jordan, for their support of the One China Policy, which he views as a testament to the strong political cooperation between China and Arab nations.

He announced that the second China-Arab Summit will take place in China next year, and he reiterated China's readiness to enhance collaboration with Arab countries to strengthen mutual trust and advance shared goals.

He outlined the key agenda items and outcomes from this year's sessions, which focused on five main points: high-quality development, deepening reform and opening up, prioritising the interests of the people, fostering comprehensive democracy at all stages and building a community with a shared future for humanity.

The ambassador detailed China's economic goals for the year, which include achieving a 5% increase in GDP, stimulating consumption and enhancing investment benefits.

China plans to issue 300 billion yuan in long-term government bonds to support the transition from old to new goods. The country aims to advance sectors such as commercial aerospace, bio-manufacturing, quantum technology, emerging artificial intelligence and sixth-generation communications while empowering innovative enterprises.

This year, China intends to maintain an urban unemployment rate of around 5.5 percent, create 12 million new job opportunities, ensure that income growth keeps pace with economic expansion, gradually provide free preschool education, increase the minimum basic pension benefit to assist 320 million people, and develop smart services for elderly care.

He highlighted ongoing efforts to accelerate green transformation in economic and social development, comprehensively deepen reform, expand the scope of opening up, and strengthen bilateral, multilateral, and regional economic cooperation, as well as organise significant exhibitions such as the China International Import Fair, the Canton Fair, the China Trade Fair for Services, the China Digital Trade Fair and the China Consumer Goods Fair.

//Petra// AK

16/03/2025 16:05:27