Jordan and China seek answer to 'root causes' of war as King Abdullah meets Xi Jinping

Jordan's King Abdullah and China's President Xi Jinping met in Beijing to discuss the US-Iran conflict and seek a negotiated resolution to the war. The leaders emphasized the need to address the "root causes" of the conflict through dialogue and negotiation. Their joint statement called for the restoration of "normal navigation" to the Strait of Hormuz and a "comprehensive solution" that replaces the US-Iran ceasefire.

Both acknowledged Israel's role in escalating tensions in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, particularly in the form of settler violence, land confiscation, and settlement expansion. Xi stressed that the Palestinian issue is "the core of the Middle East issue." During their week-long visit to China, Abdullah sought to explore economic opportunities for Jordan in sectors such as farming, medicine, and engineering.

Several agreements were signed, signaling a strong commitment to deepen their relations. Jordan's economy is heavily reliant on China, as it is the largest single source of the country's imports, comprising a fifth of its total. However, the cost of these imports has risen significantly due to shipping disruptions between the Middle East and Asia.