The tightening cultural relations between China and Jordan shows deep recognition and mutual respect to each other, former Prime Minister of Jordan Omar Razzaz said.
So far, multiple Chinese universities have established a regular cooperation mechanism with their Jordanian counterparts. Jordan now also has a complete Chinese language learning system from undergraduate to postgraduate levels.
In a recent interview with China Central Television (CCTV), Razzaz talked about the increasingly frequent cultural exchanges between the two nations.
He believes that these have demonstrated the two countries' considerable recognition as well as mutual respect.
"You have technology and cutting-edge products and innovation, etc., but you maintain your culture and history and all of this coexists. Now, part of country's respects for each other is to learn each other's languages. And I'm always amazed when I see Chinese diplomats in Jordan speaking perfect Arabic. That's a sign of respect, and vice versa. When we have universities and programs that teach Jordanian students to speak Chinese, that's also a recognition first, a form of respect to this culture," Razzaz said.
Although technology and economy play a significant role in bilateral cooperation, he said, cultural exchanges will push the partnership further and deeper which cannot live without.
"There are only two languages in the world where the letter is highly respected and revered. It is Chinese and Arabic. And that got us to work with each other on having these exchanges and building mutual understanding of something that is cultural and common. So yes, it's EVs and it's AI and robotics, but it needs to be poetry and culture and dance and calligraphy," Razzaz noted.
In-depth cultural exchanges between China, Jordan shows mutual respect: former PM
In-depth cultural exchanges between China, Jordan shows mutual respect: former PM
Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, expressed concern over a heightened escalation in hostilities in Yemen at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Thursday.
He urged all parties to achieve a ceasefire at an early date and resolve differences through dialog as a fragile four-year truce collapsed.
The emergency meeting on Yemen was held as the renewed war effectively marks the end of the relative calm the country had experienced since a UN-brokered truce in 2022 largely halted major hostilities.
The Houthis announced a ban on Saudi shipping on July 20 and have since claimed a series of attacks on Saudi tankers and oil facilities in Saudi Arabia.
The group seized Yemen's entire western coast and pushed its offensive beyond the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait into the southern province of Lahj on Friday, firing ballistic missiles at retreating government forces, government and military officials said.
The advance followed the Houthis' Thursday capture of Mocha, a strategic Red Sea port city in southwestern Yemen.
The Bab al-Mandab Strait, which connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, is a major route for international trade and energy shipments.
Yemen has been mired in conflict since late 2014, when the Houthis seized the capital Sanaa and much of northern Yemen, prompting a Saudi-led coalition to intervene the following year in support of the internationally recognized Yemeni government. "The situation in Yemen has reached a critical juncture. The international community should heighten its sense of urgency, remain steadfast in its commitment to peace, and step up peace efforts to help Yemen break the cycle of recurring turmoil and embark on a path toward lasting peace," Fu said.
Fu stressed that Yemen's future and destiny should be in the hands of the Yemeni people themselves. Dialog and consultation must be vigorously advanced, he said.
China called on the parties to the conflict to meet each other halfway, work together to de-escalate the situation, and create conditions for a political settlement of the Yemen issue.
"China emphasizes its consistent support for upholding Yemen's sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity. It stands ready to continue working with the international community to make unremitting efforts toward a political settlement of the Yemen issue and for peace and development in the country. China will play a constructive role in promoting a comprehensive ceasefire and the start of national reconstruction, and fostering long-term stability, security, development, and prosperity across the region," Fu said.
China calls for ceasefire, political dialog in Yemen
