Hasan Dajah

The strength of relations between countries is not measured solely by the number of agreements signed, but rather by their ability to withstand international transformations, translate political trust into shared interests, and deliver the fruits of cooperation to people's lives. By this standard, Jordanian-Chinese relations appear to be among the most firmly established and balanced bilateral relationships in the region. They have maintained an upward trajectory since the establishment of diplomatic relations on April 7, 1977, transcending differences in geography, size, and economic systems to establish a model based on mutual respect, non-interference in internal affairs, and measurable, practical cooperation. Forty-nine years later, the two countries are approaching the golden jubilee of their relations, possessing a political, economic, and human capital that inspires great confidence in the future.

This path began with an early vision by the Hashemite leadership regarding the importance of China and its future standing. In the 1980s, His Majesty the late King Hussein bin Talal visited China on several occasions, accompanied on some of those visits by His Majesty King Abdullah II. Since assuming his constitutional powers in 1999, His Majesty King Abdullah II has visited China eight times, reflecting the continued royal interest in this relationship. The September 2015 visit marked a historic milestone when His Majesty and Chinese President Xi Jinping announced the establishment of a strategic partnership between the two countries. This partnership celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2025, during which both sides demonstrated that the term "strategic" is not merely a protocol expression, but rather a growing framework encompassing politics, trade, investment, energy, infrastructure, education, and culture.

The strength of this relationship stems from political trust. Amman and Beijing view stability, sovereignty, and respect for international law as essential pillars for a more secure and just world. Their positions also converge in supporting the Palestinian cause, adhering to the two-state solution, and the necessity of protecting civilians and delivering humanitarian aid. This convergence gives bilateral relations a dimension that transcends direct economic interests. Jordan, with its moderation, credibility, and pivotal role in regional affairs, represents a reliable partner for China in the Middle East, while China represents a major international power and a steadfast friend for Jordan, supporting security, stability, and development. Therefore, political coordination between the two countries has remained calm and deep, even during the most turbulent regional periods.

The figures clearly demonstrate the breadth of shared interests. Bilateral trade reached approximately $3.6 billion in 2020, then exceeded $4.4 billion in 2021, representing an annual increase of 22%. In 2024, trade reached $5.37 billion, an increase of nearly 49% compared to 2020. This momentum did not stop there; trade between the two countries grew by approximately 21% year-on-year during the first four months of 2025. China has become Jordan's second-largest trading partner and its primary source of imports, a position that reflects the presence of Chinese products, technology, and supply chains across broad sectors of the Jordanian economy.

Trade exchange should not be viewed solely in terms of volume, but also in terms of integration. Jordan exports potash, fertilizers, and phosphates to the Chinese market, along with value-added food and agricultural products such as dates and olive oil, while importing machinery, equipment, electrical and electronic devices, production inputs, and goods that support trade, industry, and consumption. While the trade balance is currently in China's favor, this reality also presents significant growth potential for Jordanian exports. A market of over 1.4 billion people can absorb a larger share of Jordanian products, particularly fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, high-quality food, and Dead Sea products. The key is to build on existing trust to expedite technical approvals, enhance promotion, and connect Jordanian producers with e-commerce platforms and major Chinese trade fairs.

The partnership in the potash sector provides a striking example of what long-term investment can achieve. The Chinese company SDIC acquired a 28% stake in the Arab Potash Company for approximately $502 million, becoming its largest shareholder. Under this investment and trade cooperation, the Arab Potash Company recorded its highest annual production in its history in 2024, reaching approximately 2.84 million tons, a 17% increase compared to 2018 levels. Sales reached nearly 2.78 million tons, contributing approximately $1.28 billion in foreign currency to the Jordanian economy. These figures make Jordanian-Chinese cooperation in potash a success story, integrating Jordan's natural resources with Chinese capital, expertise, and market access, while simultaneously serving the Jordanian economy and global food security.

In the energy and infrastructure sectors, the partnership has moved from plans to tangible assets. The Attarat Power Plant, which generates electricity from oil shale and was jointly invested in, financed, engineered, and operated by China, has a net capacity of 470 megawatts and an investment cost exceeding $2 billion. Its significance lies in utilizing a local Jordanian resource and diversifying energy sources, in parallel with the presence of Chinese companies in solar and wind energy projects that support the green transition. Also noteworthy is the expansion and rehabilitation of the Salt-Arda road, funded by a $31.5 million grant from China. The 12.5-kilometer road has been widened to four lanes with a total width of 18.8 meters, serving agricultural and tourism traffic and connecting the Jordan Valley to Salt and the outskirts of Amman more efficiently and safely.

In education and culture, a solid social foundation for the relationship is being built. Amman hosted the first Arab-Chinese Conference on Civilizational Dialogue in 1986, an early indication of Jordan's role in building bridges of understanding between the two civilizations. Today, more than 600 Jordanian students are learning Chinese at Jordanian universities, while more than 500 Chinese students are studying Arabic in Jordan. In 2024, over 600 Jordanians from government, education, economic, and social sectors were sent to China for training and study. In addition, the Jordanian community in China numbers over 1,500, including students and businesspeople, creating a daily network of people exchanging knowledge, experience, and culture in both directions.

This picture is further enhanced by the presence of Chinese artistic troupes at the Jerash Festival, the activities of the Chinese Cultural Center in Amman, university scholarship programs, and inter-university cooperation. The journey of tourism cooperation between Jordan and the People's Republic of China began with the signing of a bilateral cooperation agreement in 2003 and has since developed through recent twinning agreements—most notably the one between Petra and the Great Wall of China in May 2026—to boost tourism to Petra, Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea, and Jerash, and to attract Chinese tourists.

The future holds far greater potential than what has been achieved so far. Artificial intelligence, the digital economy, advanced manufacturing, water desalination and management, smart agriculture, renewable energy, electric transportation, technical education, and medical tourism are all sectors capable of generating a new wave of partnerships. Jordan can offer China a stable environment, a strategic location, a young and skilled workforce, and access to multiple markets, while China offers a vast industrial, technological, and financial base, along with exceptional expertise in translating plans into productive infrastructure. This complementary equation is the essence of the upcoming opportunity.

The strength of Jordanian-Chinese relations is not merely a diplomatic slogan, but a reality underscored by 49 years of communication, a decade of strategic partnership, $5.37 billion in annual trade, industrial, mining, and energy investments, road projects, hundreds of students and trainees, and converging political stances. As we approach the 50th anniversary in 2027, the two countries have an opportunity to transform the occasion from a celebration of the past into a platform for launching a new decade of investment, innovation, and people-to-people exchanges. As long as mutual respect and common benefit are the compass, Jordanian-Chinese relations are poised to become deeper, broader, and more influential, and to present a bright model of international partnership that creates stability and development and opens the doors to a better future for both peoples.


Hasan Dajah is professor of strategic studies at Al-Hussein Bin Talal University