China, Jordan FMs Meet as King Abdullah II Visits Beijing
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi in Beijing on Sunday, discussing bilateral relations and pressing regional issues during King Abdullah II’s state visit to China. The meeting, held ahead of the King’s scheduled talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, underscored the deepening strategic partnership between the two nations.
According to Xinhua News, Wang Yi told Safadi that President Xi Jinping cherishes the friendship and mutual trust established with King Abdullah II, describing the King’s first visit to China in 11 years as one that will “become a new milestone in the development of bilateral relations.”
A Milestone Visit
King Abdullah II arrived in China on August 18 for a seven-day state visit, his ninth since ascending to the throne in 1999 and his first in over a decade. The visit, which included stops in Shanghai and Shenzhen, has focused on deepening economic, trade, investment, and tourism ties between the two countries.
China and Jordan established diplomatic relations in 1977 and elevated their relationship to a strategic partnership in 2015. The current visit coincides with the 70th anniversary of China-Arab diplomatic relations and comes ahead of the 50th anniversary of China-Jordan diplomatic ties in 2027.
As reported by the Chinese government, Wang Yi expressed China’s appreciation for Jordan’s firm commitment to a friendly policy toward China and its adherence to the one-China principle. He also pledged continued support for Jordan in safeguarding its independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
Focus on Gaza and the Palestinian Question
The Palestinian question was a central topic of discussion during the meeting. Wang Yi described it as “the heart of the Middle East issue” that “must not be marginalized or instrumentalized,” according to China Daily.
China called on all parties to maintain communication and dialogue and work toward a lasting ceasefire in Gaza, while helping to ease the humanitarian situation there. Wang Yi emphasized that China is “a sincere partner that Jordan can trust and rely on” and will “firmly stand on the right side of history, stand with Arab countries in upholding justice, and work for the early restoration of peace and stability in the Middle East.”
Safadi expressed Jordan’s appreciation for China’s positive and responsible role on Middle East issues, particularly its firm support for the two-state solution to the Palestinian question. According to the Jordan News Agency (Petra), Safadi also pledged Jordan’s commitment to the One-China policy and praised Beijing’s support for a two-state solution to achieve lasting peace in the Middle East.
Strengthening Economic Ties
The meeting also addressed agreements slated for signing during the visit and ways to boost the strategic partnership forged in 2015. Economic cooperation between the two countries has grown significantly in recent years, with China becoming Jordan’s largest trading partner in 2025, with bilateral trade exceeding $6.7 billion—a growth of more than 25 percent.
Jordanian exports to China have surged by about 80 percent during the first five months of 2026, reaching nearly $300 million. The two sides discussed expanding cooperation into areas such as green energy, scientific innovation, tourism, and civil aviation.
In an exclusive interview with Xinhua ahead of his visit, King Abdullah II highlighted the depth of bilateral ties, noting that “the deep-rooted relationship between the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the People’s Republic of China serves as a strong foundation for advancing our shared priorities and fostering innovation and greater prosperity for our peoples,” as reported by People’s Daily.
The King also noted that Chinese energy investments have contributed significantly to Jordan’s energy self-sufficiency and diversification strategy.
A New Chapter in Bilateral Relations
Wang Yi said China is willing to work with Jordan to implement the important consensus of the two heads of state, laying the foundation and injecting momentum for the next 50 years of China-Jordan relations. Safadi, for his part, said Jordan attaches great importance to its relations with China and is willing to translate the consensus of the two heads of state and the strategic partnership into practical actions.
The meeting comes as China continues to expand its diplomatic engagement across the Middle East, positioning itself as a key player in regional affairs. With the 50th anniversary of China-Jordan diplomatic relations approaching next year, the current visit and the agreements expected to emerge from it are likely to set the tone for the next phase of the bilateral relationship.
As the state visit concludes, observers will be watching for the outcomes of King Abdullah II’s talks with President Xi Jinping and the concrete steps both nations take to translate their strategic partnership into tangible cooperation across economic, political, and regional security dimensions.