Visiting Jordanian King Abdullah II Bin Al-Hussein and Chinese leaders on Friday agreed that the two countries should further strengthen trade ties.

President Hu Jintao said China and Jordan should encourage mutual investment in the areas of high technology and high added value.

During their talks, Abdullah said Jordan expects to work more closely with China in trade and economic areas such as telecommunications, information and tourism.

In a separate meeting, Premier Wen Jiabao said the two countries have great potential for trade and economic co-operation.

Wen said bilateral collaboration has gradually expanded from the traditional electrical, textile and agricultural products and labour export services to such high technology areas as communications and information technology.

He said the two governments should promote new co-operation areas, create more favourable conditions for the exchanges among their enterprises and set up effective mechanisms to handle trade problems quickly.

President Hu Jintao also suggested the two countries maintain their high level exchange of visits and enhance their co-operation in international organizations such as the United Nations.

He proposed that the two sides further expand their exchanges and co-operation in culture, education, human resources training and tourism.

In specific, Hu said China supports Jordan in conducting education on Chinese language and will offer more scholarships to help Jordan train managers.

The Jordanian king said his country will stick to its one-China policy and support China's reunification efforts.

Turning to China's relations with Arabian countries, Hu said China is ready to work more closely with Arabian countries through the China-Arab states co-operation forum.

He said the forum is a new mechanism for China and Arabian states to enhance dialogue and co-operation on the basis of equality and mutual benefits.

(China Daily July 31, 2004)