JTB: Jordan welcomes 571,000 tourists last May
Ammon News - Director-General of Jordan Tourism Board (JTB), Dr. Abdul Razzaq Arabiyat, announced a 27% rise in total tourist numbers for May, reaching 571,000.
During his statements during the Government Communication Forum, Arabiyat said that 14 new low-cost airlines have returned to Amman since last April from 10 Arab countries.
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Jordan News
9 hours ago
- Jordan News
Farewell to the Chinese Ambassador and Prospects for Jordanian-Chinese Partnership - Jordan News
Before Ambassador Chen Chuandong finished his speech in the celebration hall in central Amman, his tears preceded his words, transforming the farewell stage into a humane space pulsating with intimacy. The man spent four and a half years in the Kingdom, during which he led a path of cooperation that took the form of a growing strategic partnership, and the Chinese and Arab civilizations embodied a model of understanding based on mutual respect and mutual benefit. The following article traces the most important milestones of this period, examining the significance of the farewell moment and the prospects it opens for the next decade. اضافة اعلان First: The Farewell Scene... When Emotion Speaks in Diplomatic Tones At the end of the ceremony, the ambassador's voice trembled as he recalled the names of the Jordanian places that had sheltered him, from the alleys of Jabal Luweibdeh to the balconies of Jerash, suspended in the memory of history. The scene seemed exceptional in a world where emotions are usually controlled by the rhythm of protocol. However, the man chose to express his gratitude with Eastern frankness, not devoid of the warmth of Beijing. Those tears, as one of the attendees commented, "were not shed on the airport asphalt, but on the soil of a second homeland that its owner loved until the last day of his mission." This emotional dimension does not detract from the professional nature of the outcome; it merely confirms that relations between peoples, when formulated sincerely, transcend the language of technical interests to touch the hearts of individuals. Second: Ten Years of Strategic Partnership... A Busy Achievements Calendar A full decade ago, in 2015, Amman and Beijing announced the elevation of their relations to a strategic partnership. Since then, and particularly during Ambassador Chen's tenure, three key themes have been crystallized: Economy and Trade: The volume of trade increased from $360 million in 2020 to $537 million in 2024, with an annual growth rate of nearly 21%. These figures may seem modest compared to larger markets, but they reflect a new structure in the trade basket, with fertilizers, solar panels, and textiles emerging as key components. Most importantly, Chinese companies now own the largest stake in the Arab Potash Company, increasing fertilizer production and contributing to Chinese food security, while providing revenues and job opportunities to the Jordanian treasury. Energy and Green Transformation: Chinese institutions have invested in wind farms in the Tafilah region and photovoltaic projects in several areas, helping Jordan double the contribution of renewable energy to its electricity mix. This cooperation aligns with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 to reduce emissions and ensure security of supply. Belt and Road Initiative: Signing a Memorandum of Understanding and opening the door to the establishment of logistics corridors linking Aqaba to Chinese Red Sea ports, in addition to projects to digitize ports and railways. This is how the Chinese philosophy is translated: seamless trade intersects with Jordan's ambition to become a regional hub linking Asia, Europe, and Africa. Third: Culture and Education... The Bridge That Politics Cannot Destroy The strength of relations between countries is not measured by trade balance indicators alone, but rather by the depth of cultural exchange and human interaction they reflect. The Jerash Festival has become a model for this cultural convergence, hosting Chinese troupes for successive years, presenting performances of traditional music and contemporary dance. The closing evenings of these troupes have become among the most anticipated events in the historic amphitheaters. On the other hand, the "Tea for Harmony" event has transformed from a simple initiative to bring Jordanian and Chinese cultures together in a garden at the University of Jordan, into a well-established annual event that attracts hundreds of families. Visitors learn about Chinese tea-making rituals and their ancient history, while Jordanian participants enjoy maqluba and mansaf dishes, a scene that embodies the true meaning of cultural exchange and the rich diversity between peoples. Language education: Approximately 600 Jordanian students are learning Chinese at Confucius Institutes, while 500 Chinese students are immersed in the beauty of the Arabic language at Jordanian universities. These generations are the true fuel for the sustainability of the relationship. Training programs: Last year alone, 600 Jordanians took short courses in Beijing, Shenzhen, and Suzhou, covering artificial intelligence, urban policy, and heritage management. They return with new ideas and personal friendships. Fourth: Political Harmony and Common Positions At the diplomatic level, observers can almost detect a remarkable harmony between Amman and Beijing on key issues. The Palestinian issue—which tops Jordan's foreign policy agenda—enjoys unwavering Chinese support for a two-state solution. The two countries translated this discourse by sending humanitarian aid to Gaza in late 2023, carried out by a joint airlift. Jordan, for its part, affirms at every forum its commitment to the "One China" principle as a pillar of international stability. Fifth: The Compass of Domestic Development... What Does Jordan Mean to Beijing? Chinese experts describe Jordan as a "laboratory of stability" in a turbulent region. The Kingdom, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II, has weathered the storms of the "Arab Spring" without institutional collapse and has gradually modernized its political system. From Beijing's perspective, this promising climate of sustainability is an ideal environment for long-term investments, free from the sovereign risks threatening mega-projects in some neighboring countries. The Chinese side also benefits from Jordan's geopolitical location; the Kingdom is a transit gateway to the markets of Iraq and Syria, and linking the port of Aqaba to the Belt and Road Initiative will provide China with an alternative artery to the Suez Canal in emergencies. Sixth: Challenges and Opportunities in the Next Five Years Diversifying Partnerships: Despite China's momentum, Jordan is keen not to limit its economic options to a single entity. The balance between East and West will remain the motto of the next phase, requiring Beijing to offer more competitive offers while respecting the unique characteristics of the Jordanian market. Deepening Local Manufacturing: The current model focuses on importing Chinese components and assembling them in Jordan. Jordanian decision-makers aspire to transfer deeper technologies, enabling the establishment of real industries that attract Jordanian engineers. Soft diplomacy and deepening success narratives: Jordanian citizens see the Chinese presence as an added value to their daily lives, not just numbers in the news. Here, cultural grant programs and popular media play a pivotal role. Seventh: Chen's Tears... A Farewell Message or a Promise of a Reunion? When the ambassador was asked after his speech about the reason for his tears, he responded with a brief statement: "I loved Jordan more than I expected." Between the lines lies the understanding that international relations are not built solely on agreements signed behind closed doors; rather, they are built on simple human rhythms: a friend who becomes familiar with a street, masters a new language, says "good morning" in the Ammani dialect, and the neighbors respond with "你好" at the door. This intimacy may seem like a marginal detail on the Foreign Ministry's agenda, but it is a spirit capable of moving the wheels of the economy, culture, and politics in directions that are difficult to measure with numbers. And then: Where do Where do we go from here? As Jordan and China mark the tenth anniversary of their strategic partnership, they close a chapter enriched by Ambassador Chen Chuandong's efforts and open a new one poised to tackle shared challenges—post-pandemic recovery, energy security, and climate change. This is a moment for both nations to co-create a development model that fuses innovation with cultural diversity and adapts technology to Jordan's unique context, all while benefiting from China's openness and experience. Though Ambassador Chen is preparing to leave Amman, the legacy he leaves behind—from solar panels glinting in the desert sun to the harmonies of "Zhong Rui" echoing through the Jerash Amphitheater—will endure. It serves as lasting proof that when diplomacy is guided by empathy and vision, it writes more than agreements; it writes relationships. In a world where headlines fade fast, perhaps the most enduring mark of an ambassador is this simple line etched into the history of two nations: 'A friendship was born here.'
Ammon
21 hours ago
- Ammon
3.956 million heads of sheep, goats in Jordan by 2024
Ammon News - The total number of sheep and goats in Jordan reached approximately 3.956 million heads in 2024, marking a 1 percent increase compared to 2023, according to the Department of Statistics' Livestock Numbers Report for the Informal Sector released Wednesday. The report indicated that the sheep population grew by 1 percent, rising to 3.076 million heads in 2024, up from 3.049 million in 2023. Meanwhile, the number of goats increased by 4 percent, reaching 880,000 heads compared to 850,000 the previous year. The data also showed a 2 percent rise in livestock births, with a total of 2.376 million newborns in 2024, compared to 2.332 million in 2023. Sales for slaughter from newborn livestock saw a 1 percent increase, with 31.5 percent of the total being sold for this purpose. The number of animals slaughtered rose significantly to 1.227 million in 2024, up from 932,000 in 2023.
Ammon
a day ago
- Ammon
Jordan, Morocco discuss economic cooperation
Ammon News - The Amman Chamber of Commerce (ACC) and Morocco's ambassador to Jordan, Fouad Akhrif, held a meeting to explore ways to enhance trade and investment cooperation between the two countries, citing the need for stronger institutional coordination and greater engagement between their private sectors. According to a statement by the Chamber, Chairman Khalil Al-Haj Tawfiq emphasized the strength of Jordanian-Moroccan relations and called for the development of deeper economic ties. He said current trade volumes do not reflect the potential of the bilateral relationship and pointed to limited delegation exchanges and coordination between chambers of commerce as key obstacles. Al-Haj Tawfiq proposed activating communication channels, improving the flow of investment and trade information, and establishing continuous networking platforms between the two business communities. He announced an agreement with Moroccan Member of Parliament Khadija Hajoubi to host an exhibition of traditional Moroccan crafts and products in Amman later this year. A twinning arrangement is also planned between the Amman Chamber of Commerce and the chamber in the Fès-Meknès region. He added that the Chamber is prepared to support Moroccan companies seeking entry into the Jordanian market and encouraged joint private-sector participation in reconstruction projects in Syria. He also described Morocco as a key gateway for Jordanian companies seeking access to African markets. Al-Haj Tawfiq stressed the importance of streamlined visa procedures and closer cooperation with the Moroccan Embassy to facilitate business travel and joint trade events. Ambassador Akhrif acknowledged the strength of political ties between Jordan and Morocco but noted that economic relations remain underdeveloped by comparison. He urged both sides to intensify efforts to realize their economic potential, citing Morocco's ongoing development across sectors. He proposed holding a business forum in Morocco to bring together companies from both countries, focusing on promising sectors that could support trade and investment partnerships. Akhrif also highlighted Morocco's investment opportunities and encouraged Jordanian businesses to leverage existing bilateral agreements and participate in trade missions. Chamber board members emphasized the need to implement and update bilateral agreements and memorandums of understanding, noting that deeper cooperation could lead to expanded trade, greater diversification of exchanged goods, and stronger collaboration in tourism, transportation, and logistics. They welcomed the planned resumption of direct flights between the two countries later this year, which they said would improve business mobility. However, they noted that the current sea freight route is inefficient due to its length and called for the development of faster, more reliable transport links.
