Jordanian king vows to promote ties with China ahead of visit

Jordanian King Abdullah II pledged to strengthen bilateral ties with China on the eve of his state visit to the country slated for July 26-31.

In a written interview, the king highlighted the Sino-Jordanian relations in different fields, vowing to carry on what his father, late King Hussein, had built to further promote the ties.

Impressed with China's comprehensive development, the king said Jordan was ready to emulate the example.

Jordan was also keen on attracting Chinese investment, especially in areas of information, technology, communications, tourism, transport and agriculture, the king said.

He praised China's support for the Middle East peace process, which is aimed at ending the regional violence and establish a Palestinian state.

The king was also upbeat about the political process in Iraq, claiming that the situation in the violence-ridden country would get better since sovereignty had been remitted to the Iraqi people.

At the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao, King Abdullah will arrive in Beijing Monday after wrapping up his current visit to South Korea.

This will be the third visit by the king to China since he succeeded the throne on Feb. 7, 1999. The first two were in December 1999 and January 2002 respectively.

Jordan established diplomatic relations with China on April 7, 1977.