Jordan's King Abdullah II seeks Chinese investment during week-long visit

From Aug. 18 to 24, King Abdullah II made his first state visit to China in more than a decade, touring Shanghai, Beijing and Shenzhen. In Shanghai he met leaders of Chinese firms in pharmaceuticals, food, engineering, agriculture, aviation and the robotics company AgiBot, receiving briefings on applications ranging from manufacturing to security. In Beijing he is slated to meet President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang and legislative head Zhao Leji, with plans to sign cooperation agreements across multiple sectors.

Shenzhen underscored the commercial focus of the trip. Jordan seeks Chinese investment to counteract economic pressure caused by the US-Israel-Iran war, a tourism slump and rising energy costs, positioning itself as a regional manufacturing hub. Trade is heavily weighted toward Chinese exports, prompting Amman to pursue projects like a $1.155 billion green hydrogen study with UEG Green Hydrogen Development Holding Limited. Analysts view the timing as a hedge against uncertain U.S. policy while preserving the kingdom’s security alliance.