Ankara: China's top lawmaker, Zhao Leji, hosted King Abdullah II of Jordan in Beijing as part of efforts to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries. King Abdullah's meeting with Zhao, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), is part of a broader state visit aimed at enhancing bilateral ties.

According to Anadolu Agency, the discussions included ways to further the traditional friendship and enhance practical cooperation between China and Jordan. Zhao emphasized China's readiness to work closely with Jordan to ensure sustained, stable growth in bilateral relations. He also noted the NPC's willingness to deepen exchanges with Jordan's National Assembly, focusing on areas like democracy, the rule of law, and public welfare.

King Abdullah's week-long state visit to China, which began on Tuesday, included stops in Shanghai and Shenzhen before arriving in Beijing. The visit underscores the growing economic ties between the two nations, with China becoming Jordan's largest trading partner last year, boasting a bilateral trade volume of approximately $6.7 billion.

As part of the visit, King Abdullah is also expected to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. The visit, which concludes on August 24, marks King Abdullah's ninth trip to China since ascending to the throne in 1999 and his first since 2015.