[China and Jordan]
In 2013, the friendly and cooperative relationship between the People's Republic of China and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan developed at a faster pace. Exchanges and cooperation in various fields continued to make new progress.
The senior leadership of the two countries maintained frequent exchanges. In March, King Abdullah II Bin Al-Hussein, Speaker of the Senate Taher Masri, Speaker of the House of Representatives Saed Srour, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriate Affairs Naser Joudeh sent congratulatory messages to President Xi Jinping, NPC Chairman Zhang Dejiang, CPPCC Chairman Yu Zhengsheng, State Councilor Yang Jiechi and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on their assumption of office. In April, King Abdullah II sent a message of condolences to President Xi Jinping over the earthquake in Lushan, Sichuan Province. In October, Chairman Yu Zhengsheng sent a congratulatory message to Abdur-Ra'uf S. Rawabdeh on his appointment as the new Senate Speaker. In November, Chairman Zhang Dejiang sent a congratulatory message to Atef Tarawneh on his election as the new House Speaker. In May, Chinese Special Envoy on the Middle East Issue Wu Sike visited Jordan.
From 15 to 18 September, King Abdullah II paid a state visit to China and attended the first China-Arab States Expo in Ningxia. President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and State Councilor Yang Jiechi met or had talks with King Abdullah II. CPPCC Chairman Yu Zhengsheng met with King Abdullah II during the opening ceremony of the Expo. During the visit, the two sides signed four cooperation agreements, i.e. the Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement Between the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Government of the People's Republic of China, the Agreement on Defense Industry Cooperation Between the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense of the People's Republic of China and Jordan's Armed Forces, the Cooperation Agreement Between the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television of the People's Republic of China and Jordan Radio and Television Corporation, and the Marketing and Sole Agency Agreement Between Sinochem Group and the Arab Potash Company Limited Amman, Jordan. In early September, Manar M. Dabbas, Director of the Political Affairs Directorate at the Royal Court, and Samer I. Asfour, Director of Economic and Social Department at the Royal Court, visited China to make preparations for King Abdullah II's visit. To implement the agreement reached by leaders of the two countries on developing bilateral relations, Vice Commerce Minister Li Jinzao led a government trade delegation to Jordan in November. In December, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriate Affairs Joudeh led a delegation to China.
Practical cooperation between the two countries in trade and other areas maintained a sound momentum of growth. China is Jordan's third largest trading partner. In September, the 10th China Fair Jordan was successfully held in Jordan.
The two countries enjoyed active cultural, press and academic exchanges and cooperation. In May, President of Xinhua News Agency Li Congjun visited Jordan. In June, Chen Yonglong, former Vice President of the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs and former Chinese Ambassador to Jordan, attended the fifth West Asia-North Africa Forum in Jordan. Cultural events, such as the Chinese Culture Week, the first Chinese Film Week and the performances by Jilin Art Troupe for Jordanian audience from all walks of life and the local Chinese community were successfully staged in Amman, capital of Jordan. Jordanian Tourism Minister Ibrahim Saif and the president of a Jordanian journalist association Tarek Muhammad, among others, visited or attended conferences in China.
The two countries maintained coordination in international and regional affairs. In December, China supported Jordan's bid for a nonpermanent seat in the United Nations Security Council for the 2014-2015 term.
In 2013, China provided humanitarian assistance to Jordan to help with the Syrian refugees in Jordan.
Editor:Yaling
