Minister of Foreign and Expatriates Affairs Ayman Safadi on Thursday discussed with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, means to forge closer ties between Jordan and China in various fields as well as the latest developments in the region.

During the meeting, Safadi highlighted the strong ties between the two countries as well as Jordan’s, keenness under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II, to develop the strategic partnership and cooperation between Jordan and China.

The minister stressed Jordan’s commitment to the one-China principle as well as to enhancing coordination and consultations on regional and international issues. He also praised China’s effective role in the Middle East.

The Chinese minister praised Jordan’s role in the region, and stressed his country’s support to Jordan in its development process.

He also expressed China’s desire to increase investment in Jordan’s potash and phosphate sectors and work to reactivate Chinese projects in the Kingdom related to generating electricity and rehabilitating roads.

During the meeting, the two ministers reviewed the situation in the region and affirmed the need to solve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict to achieve peace and stability in the region. They also stressed the importance of re-launching direct and effective negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis to solve the conflict based on the two-state solution that should lead to an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

On Syria, Safadi said Jordan backed all efforts that aim at arriving at a political solution to the Syrian crisis and ending fighting in the country through the Geneva track.

He also reviewed the burden borne by Jordan as a result of hosting more than 1.3 million Syrian refugees, and thanked China for the support it provides to Jordan to help it in addressing challenges.

During a press conference held on the sidelines of the meeting, the two ministers praised the strong ties between Jordan and China which marked this year the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between them.

Safadi stressed Jordan’s keenness to translate the strategic partnership with China into reality, noting that China is the second major trade partners of Jordan.

The Chinese minister hailed cooperation between the two countries as well as Jordan’s role in hosting Syrian refugees and preserving peace and security in the region.

Source: Fana News