Jordan seeks to strengthen ties with China by Expo

The Jordan Pavilion is pictured in this May 14 file photo. [Photo/Xinhua]

AMMAN - By taking part in the Shanghai World Expo, Jordan seeks to further strengthen its ties with China and build further bridges between people of the two countries, an organizer said.

"The main objective that we seek to achieve is to introduce Jordan to the Chinese people in a different day. We know that the distance is very far between the two countries, however, the relations are at their peak and are very distinguished," said Yarub Qudah, CEO of Jordan Enterprise Development Corporation (JEDCO), which is organizing Jordan's participation in the Expo.

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Variety of activities and folkloric performances highlighting Jordan's history, heritage and culture and showcasing the Arab kingdom's tourism sites will be featured during the Jordan's Day at the World Expo 2010 Shanghai China on July 25, according to Qudah.

Jordan, which has a 648-square-metre pavilion at the expo, is exerting intensified efforts and moving ahead with preparations to impress and entertain visitors to the exhibition on July 25, said the official.

"We have been working on the day since a very long time. During the day, we will introduce the different characteristics of Jordan. We will display the heritage, the culture, the history and the future of Jordan at the same time," said Qudah.

"During the day, we also introduce Petra in a very nice and unique way and we have lots of surprises for visitors," Qudah added.

In 2007, the 2,000 year old rose-red city of Petra ranked second in the list of New Seven Wonders after the Great Wall of China, according to the organizers of an international contest, the results of which were declared in a special ceremony in Lisbon.

Qudah, appreciating the facilities and support that China has offered to Jordan to organize its pavilion at the Expo, said, "I want to thank the Chinese government and the people for the welcoming that we have received."

"With the support that we receive from officials and people, Jordan's participation will be very successful," he added.

Qudah, who attended and was impressed by the opening ceremony of the expo in early May, congratulated the Chinese government and people for the biggest Expo he ever attended or heard about.

"It will create a challenge to any other country that will organize a similar Expo in the future to coordinate it the way China did," said the official.

Expressing hope that the number of Chinese visitors to Jordan will increase following the exhibition, which concludes in late October, the official said, "We would like every Chinese to know more about Jordan."

A total of 189 countries and 57 international organizations are taking part in the exhibition, which attracts 400,000 visitors per day, according to organizers.