Deeper Beijing ties seen vital for Arab countries

Deeper cooperation between Arab states and China across all sectors, and advancing modernization hand in hand, will deliver tangible benefits to both peoples while boosting the progress of humanity at large, said Samir Habashneh, chairman of the Jordan-China Cultural Cooperation Committee.
In an exclusive interview with China Daily, Habashneh, who is Jordan’s former interior minister, noted that the ancient Arab maxim “Seek knowledge, even unto China” remains highly relevant in shaping contemporary Arab-China relations.
Amity and exchanges between Arab and Chinese people stretch back thousands of years.
While Jordan and China differ in state systems and political frameworks, Habashneh emphasized that China’s governance experience offers a valuable reference for Jordan. In particular, Beijing’s practical reforms and the strategic development of State-owned enterprises provide ample inspiration for Jordan’s own national governance and modernization drive.
“Xi Jinping: The Governance of China reads like a blueprint for successful governance, allowing countries worldwide to fully grasp President Xi’s philosophies and statecraft,” said Habashneh, an avid reader of the book series. “Its pages lay out the Chinese leader’s open vision and forward-thinking development outlook, setting a benchmark for state governance across the globe.”
Habashneh said that Jordanian people have high regard for and fully endorse the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping. Widely seen as a vision rooted in humanitarianism that safeguards peace and advances dialogue, the GCI fosters exchanges, dialogue, and mutual learning among civilizations.
In stark contrast to fallacies such as the “clash of civilizations” hyped by certain Western forces, the GCI champions inter-civilizational exchange and mutual appreciation. This echoes the international community’s prevailing aspiration for cooperation over confrontation and dialogue over conflict.
“Peace is inherent to Chinese civilization,” Habashneh said, adding that a stronger China empowers global development and injects stability into international affairs. China consistently settles disputes through peaceful means and plays a constructive role in regional and global hotspot issues.
“China’s impartial stance on the Palestinian question has won deep appreciation from Jordan and other Arab states,” he said. Amid today’s volatile global landscape, China acts as an irreplaceable stabilizer in the international order, firmly supporting developing countries in safeguarding their sovereignty, security, and development interests.
“China is a true friend to Jordan and the Arab world, and bolstering our links serves the development interests of all Arab countries,” Habashneh added.
Driven by the GCI and the Belt and Road Initiative, China and Jordan have significantly expanded their cultural cooperation.
This includes the mutual translation of classic books, joint broadcasts of film and television productions, and vibrant arts festival exchanges. Recently, the Royal Film Commission of Jordan officially joined the Belt and Road Film Festival Alliance, under the Shanghai International Film Festival.
“We have witnessed growing exchanges and visits at all tiers in recent years, with people-to-people cooperation deepening and a string of key joint cultural projects taking root,” Habashneh said.
This diplomatic synergy is increasingly visible in everyday life. “With Chinese-brand vehicles cruising Jordanian streets and Chinese goods filling store shelves, you can feel China’s developmental vitality everywhere,” he said, adding that a rising number of young Jordanians are eager to learn Chinese and travel to China.
“China holds such immense appeal that anyone who has visited once longs to return,” Habashneh said.
Looking ahead, the Jordan-China Cultural Cooperation Committee remains dedicated to advancing bilateral cultural and artistic exchanges, acting as a bridge through reciprocal tours of performing arts troupes and co-hosting friendship dialogues, he said.
“Young people represent the future of Jordan-China friendship. We hope to expand communication channels targeting youth, leveraging social media and new platforms to tell the stories of our enduring bilateral friendship to wider audiences,” Habashneh said.

cuihaipei@chinadaily.com.cn