Former Jordanian prime minister Omar Razzaz commended China's all-round development, saying the country has combined cultural heritage with rapid modernization, a balance he described as increasingly relevant as nations worldwide grapple with how to pursue growth without losing identity.
In an interview with China Media Group (CMG) released on Friday, Razzaz shared his impressions against the backdrop of China's ongoing transformation and its rising role in global cooperation.
Razzaz believes that understanding China's progress requires experiencing its diverse landscape firsthand, stressing that direct exposure helps dispel stereotypes and offers insight into how cultural continuity and technological innovation can advance together.
"You've touched upon what resonated with me the most, that combination of modernity and culture, the fact that these cities are at the cutting edge in terms of applied research, manufacturing, services, etc. The beauty of the landscape and the respect people show for each other and the fact that this is not a question of 'do you want to be a modern country,' or 'do you want to be a traditional country?' No, you can maintain your value system, your culture, etc. and move forward with prosperity and innovation. The two are not necessarily contradictory to each other," he said.
"If you go to most countries, it looks either an ultra-modern city or, because it's poor, it'll look like an old rural community, etc. And what's really amazing is this sort of multi-faceted development that takes culture as well as technology and AI and all of these things," he added.
Razzaz stressed that China's rapid transformation must be seen on the ground to appreciate its scale, diversity and cultural continuity.
"There's no way to understand where China is without, in my view, without actually visiting because the story is complex. China is a huge country with a large population and a lot of diversity in a lot of different groups. So, you come in with certain stereotypes about what China is and what it isn't. And these will break when you get to China," he said.
Former Jordanian PM highlights China's cultural continuity amid rapid development
Major breakthroughs in low-carbon energy transition and smart recycling are drawing attention at the Environment and Energy Services Hall of the 2026 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS).
Kicking off in Beijing on Wednesday, the five-day fair has gathered participants from 90 countries, regions and international organizations, with more than 1,800 companies exhibiting on site.
The environment and energy services exhibition area features comprehensive solutions for zero-carbon industrial parks. Leading energy producers are also showcasing their latest achievements, including geothermal technology, supercritical power generation and integrated energy services. Many of these low-carbon solutions are designed to support international energy projects, fueling the global expansion of China's green services.
"Since implementation, we have achieved a few things. I think the first one is more than 10 percent in energy saving. The second one is actually maintaining the same network performance and service quality. The third one is actually no noticeable impact on customer experience itself. So this result actually demonstrates that AI can deliver a more meaningful energy efficiency while maintaining a reliable and high-quality network," said Reza Mirza, Group Head of Corporate Communication and Sustainability at XLSmart.
In the area, innovations range from AI‑powered waste sorting and recycled construction materials to hydrogen-driven sanitation equipment. Advanced low-carbon materials are also showcased, supporting zero-carbon buildings and next-generation computing centers.
"For every tonne of steel we produce, we emit more than two tonnes of carbon dioxide. Through technological and process innovation, we have developed low-carbon-emission automotive steel, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by a maximum of 50 percent," said Liu Huasai, chief researcher at the Research Institute of Technology, Shougang Group Co.
Beyond the exhibits, a series of forums are unveiling new financing frameworks for green projects. By building a global platform for green services trade, CIFTIS is helping push forward international carbon-reduction goals and sustainable growth.
China's service trade fair highlights green energy, recycling breakthroughs
