China committed to providing technical, financial aid to Jordan: Official

AMMAN — China is committed to providing technical and financial support to Jordan, said China's Deputy Minister of Commerce Qian Keming on Monday.

The minister made the remarks at the 7th session of the Joint Committee for Economic, Commercial and Technical Cooperation between Jordan and China, which focused on key areas for increased cooperation.

Calling Jordan "a key partner" in the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by China, Qian reaffirmed China's keenness to boost cooperation with Jordan in various areas.

Jordan's Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Imad Fakhoury said the two sides discussed increased aid to Jordan to implement projects of priority, including upgrading civil defence vehicles and inspection devices at the Customs Department under a $70 million grant provided by China.

Fakhoury said the discussions also covered the need to increase Chinese investment in Jordan in the fields of gas, shale oil, renewable energy, and potash and phosphate fertilizers.

The two sides agreed to start technical meetings to draw a draft concerning their cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Meanwhile, several agreements were signed with regard to increasing China-Jordan future cooperation in sectors such as tourism.

They also signed the Programme for Development, Economic and Technical Cooperation for the years 2018-2020.

A development assistance deal was also signed to finance the road project (Salt al Ardah) in Jordan, with a total budget of $31.6 million, which will be implemented by Jordanian and Chinese companies.

From 1999 to 2016, China had provided Jordan with grants and loans worth a total of $225 million.