Chinese Ambassador Chen Chuandong attended the foundation laying ceremony of ChinaAid Project of reconstruction and upgrading of Al-Salt/Al-Ardah road on site in Balqa Governorate along with Jordanian Ministers of Public Works and Housing, Interior, Transport, Agriculture and Governor of Balqa on October 20. Also present were representatives of Chinese and Jordanian project contractors, consultancies and engineering management agencies, as well as Economic and Commercial Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy.

Ambassador Chen congratulated the smooth commencement of the project on behalf of the Chinese government, and said that the project, upon completion, would upgrade road conditions, promote local tourism, industry and agriculture, create jobs and improve people’s livelihood, and it would put down a new chapter of China-Jordan friendship and practical cooperation. 

He noted that this year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Under the strategic guidance of their leaders,  China-Jordan relations have been constantly elevated to new highs and become a model of harmonious coexistence, mutual learning, inclusiveness, equality and mutual support between countries with different systems and cultures. 

Ambassador Chen referred to this year as one crucial for both China and Jordan in carrying forward the past and opening up the future. The Communist Party of China is holding its 20th National Congress to draw up a grand blueprint for a new journey in the Chinese path to modernization to achieve the second centenary goal, which will inject strong impetus and bring new opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Jordan, and other countries in the world. Under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II, Jordan is undergoing political, economic and public sector reforms, which opens up Jordan’s second centenary journey of modernization. China firmly supports Jordan’s efforts in exploring a development path in line with its own national conditions and traditions, and is ready to work with Jordan, taking advantage of new horizons of their respective second centenary journeys, inspired by the Global Development Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping and Jordan's Economic Modernization Vision, to strengthen synergy of development strategies for high-quality Belt and Road cooperation so that the two peoples can reap more benefits from win-win cooperation.

Jordanian Minister of Public Works and Housing Yahya Kisbi, speaking on behalf of Prime Minister Bisher Al Khasawneh, thanked the friendly Chinese government and people for their generous assistance. He also paid tribute to the government departments and enterprises of both sides participating in the project, commending the smooth commencement of the project as the result of joint efforts of both sides. He pointed out that after its completion the project will boost the development of agriculture, improve traffic conditions and improve local people’s well-being in western Jordan, which is of strategic significance. This China-Jordan joint project has once again demonstrated the longstanding friendship under the care and guidance of leaders of the two countries.

Ambassador Chen and Minister Kisbi unveiled the foundation of the project.

Al-Salt/Al-Ardah Road is located in Balqa Governorate in northwest Jordan. It connects the capital city Amman, Al Salt and the Jordan River Valley. The project section will be widened and upgraded with auxiliary facilities under ChinaAid program.