China's Jiayuguan, Jordan's Petra sign agreement to bolster tourism ties

The signing ceremony of an agreement on cooperation in culture and tourism between the Chinese city of Jiayuguan and the Jordanian city of Petra is held at Petra, Jordan, on May 20, 2025. The agreement signed Tuesday seeks to strengthen the friendly ties between the two historical sites. (Photo by Mohammad Abu Ghosh/Xinhua)

AMMAN, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The northwestern Chinese city of Jiayuguan and the southern Jordanian city of Petra have signed an agreement on cooperation in culture and tourism at the archaeological site of Petra.

The agreement signed Tuesday seeks to strengthen the friendly ties between the two historical sites. In 2017, they established a twinhood relationship, built on the fact that both are UNESCO-listed World Heritage sites, distinguished by their unique and creative architecture in harmony with the natural environment.

Jiayuguan, the westernmost point of China's Ming Dynasty Great Wall, and the ancient city of Petra in Jordan are both landmarks boasting rich cultural heritage.

Addressing the agreement signing ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Jordan Chen Chuandong said that the Great Wall and the ancient city of Petra both signify peace and serve as models of mutual learning between civilizations. Chen expressed hope that the people of China and Jordan could work together to foster friendship, deepen bilateral cooperation, and enhance cross-cultural understanding, thereby jointly safeguarding global peace.

Chief Commissioner of the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority Fares Braizat said the signing ceremony marks an important moment in connecting two great cultures in the Middle East and East Asia, and advancing cultural dialogue between the Arab world and East Asia.

The agreement is significant to collaborative efforts to promote the tourism resources of the two cultural heritage sites, according to Braizat. ■

Chief Commissioner of the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority Fares Braizat (L) and Director of Jiayuguan Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism Zhao Shumin shake hands after signing an agreement on cooperation in culture and tourism between the Chinese city of Jiayuguan and the Jordanian city of Petra, at Petra, Jordan, on May 20, 2025. The agreement signed Tuesday seeks to strengthen the friendly ties between the two historical sites. (Photo by Mohammad Abu Ghosh/Xinhua)

Artists perform during the signing ceremony of an agreement on cooperation in culture and tourism between the Chinese city of Jiayuguan and the Jordanian city of Petra, at Petra, Jordan, on May 20, 2025. The agreement signed Tuesday seeks to strengthen the friendly ties between the two historical sites. (Photo by Mohammad Abu Ghosh/Xinhua)

Guests and artists dance during the signing ceremony of an agreement on cooperation in culture and tourism between the Chinese city of Jiayuguan and the Jordanian city of Petra, at Petra, Jordan, on May 20, 2025. The agreement signed Tuesday seeks to strengthen the friendly ties between the two historical sites. (Photo by Mohammad Abu Ghosh/Xinhua)