China, Jordan highlight increased cooperation for 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Jordan's King Abdullah II on September 9, 2015 in Beijing. [Photo:Chinanews]

Jordan and China are exploring opportunities to boost cooperation in fields of energy, infrastructure and trade, Chinese ambassador to Jordan Pan Weifang said on Monday.

Commending strong ties between the two counties, Pan said a Chinese mall called "Dragon Mall" will be opened in Amman in September.

The mall, which stretches across over 20,000 square metres, will contain 200 stores and restaurants in addition to parking lots that can accommodate up to 700 vehicles, he said.

Industrial equipment, garments and household appliances will be sold at the mall, which will help attract products from 200 Chinese companies.

Some 400 Chinese nationals will work at the mall, which will also create hundreds of jobs for Jordanians.

According to the ambassador, China is Jordan's second largest trade partner and the trade between the two countries reached 3.1 billion U.S. dollars in 2016.

A total of 37,000 Chinese tourists visited Jordan in 2016, up 60 percent from 2015, he added.

The ambassador highlighted increased cooperation between Jordan and China in fields of military, security and law enforcement, stressing their keenness for increased cooperation in combating terrorism and peacekeeping in the region.

During a press conference on Sunday to mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of Jordan-China diplomatic relations, the Chinese ambassador said the two countries are discussing a project to build a national railway network with the first phase stretching from Aqaba to Maan.