Amman : FM, Chinese Counterpart Discuss Ties, Mideast Issues

Minister of Foreign and Expatriate Affairs, Ayman Al-Safadi made a phone call with Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of China, Wang Yi, during which they discussed Jordanian-Chinese relations and a number of Middle East issues.

The conversation tackled developments pertaining to the Palestinian issue, Syria and international efforts to combat terrorism.

The two ministers also underlined constant communication between His Majesty King Abdullah II and Chinese President Xi Jinping to develop cooperation between the two countries, which last year marked the 40th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations.

Al-Safadi said Jordan looks forward to opening new horizons of economic cooperation with China.

He added that the Kingdom respects The One China policy and supports its One Belt and One Road initiative (through which China wants to boost trade and stimulate economic growth across Asia and beyond), noting that Jordan is looking forward to starting implementing specific cooperation projects as part of that initiative.

The Chinese foreign minister said that his country highly appreciates its strategic relations with Jordan and is keen for closer cooperation with the Kingdom in various domains.

Al-Safadi and Wang also discussed regional developments, primarily the consequences of the U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as capital of Israel.

The foreign minister commended China's stance in support of the Palestinian rights and achieving a comprehensive peace in the region, based on the two-state solution, which is the only way to bring about peace and stability.

The two ministers emphasized the need for a concerted international effort to set the ground for ending the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, as tension in the region will never be defused without resolving this conflict based on international legitimacy resolutions and the Palestinian people's right to freedom and statehood.

Al-Safadi emphasized that there is no legal effect of the US decision to recognize Jerusalem as capital of Israel, noting that the Arab countries had agreed to pursue a comprehensive international move demanding the international community to recognize the Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital on pre-June 1967 borders.

Further, Al-Safadi briefed his Chinese counterpart on diplomatic efforts Jordan's continues to exert to affirm that Jerusalem remains a final status issue that will be resolved through negotiations based on the international legitimacy's resolutions, which consider any unilateral steps, aimed at imposing new facts in occupied Jerusalem or changing its identity, null and void.

He also said that Jordan will continue to work with other Arab states and the international community to achieve a comprehensive regional peace, which fulfills the Palestinians' rights to freedom and independent state on their national soil.

The Chinese foreign minister reiterated his country's firm stance in supporting Palestinian rights, the two-state solution and efforts to launch an effective international action to resolve the conflict.

He lauded the Kingdom's role in pursuing peace, security and stability in the Middle East.

The two ministers also discussed the latest developments in the war on terrorism and efforts to resolve the Syrian crisis, which they stressed, should be solved though political channels and on the basis of UN Security Council resolution No. 2254, and in a manner that safeguards the unity and cohesion of Syria.

They also agreed to continue communication and coordination. Safadi accepted Wang's invitation to participate in the Arab-China Forum, to be hosted in Beijing mid-year