King Abdullah's trip to China offers a chance to enhance economic relations between the nations, draw in varied Chinese investments, and increase Jordanian exports to the Chinese market, according to reports.
The forum stated that the visit might advance bilateral relations from their current emphasis on trade to enhanced investment, production, and technology collaboration.
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Reports indicated that Jordan experiences a notable trade deficit with China, whereas Chinese investments in the Kingdom are focused on a small range of economic sectors.
According to reports, Chinese exports to Jordan were around $6.29 billion in 2025, while Jordanian exports to China totaled $430 million, leading to a bilateral trade deficit of roughly $5.86 billion. Jordanian exports to China are limited to a narrow range of products, such as phosphate, potash, fertilizers, chemicals, and copper. According to the forum, the total value of Chinese foreign direct investment in Jordan is expected to reach around $3.56 billion from 2010 to 2025.
The amount is less than Chinese investments in Iraq ($12.19 billion), the UAE ($9.72 billion), Egypt ($8.29 billion), Saudi Arabia ($7.02 billion), and Morocco ($3.93 billion), yet the forum characterized it as a notable Chinese investment presence in Jordan.
The forum indicated that Jordan's task is not just to draw more Chinese investment, but also to diversify that investment and direct it towards initiatives that enhance productive capacity, facilitate technology transfer and technical expertise, foster local suppliers, and generate higher-skilled employment opportunities.
The report indicated that China has emerged as a significant economic partner of the Middle East. Although its initial involvement in the area was primarily motivated by energy requirements, collaboration has now broadened to include trade, investment, infrastructure, manufacturing, logistics, and technology, backed by the Belt and Road Initiative.
The forum also emphasized a change in the makeup of Chinese foreign investments. Although previous Belt and Road Initiative investments prioritized infrastructure and energy, Chinese firms are now more focused on renewable energy, electric vehicles and batteries, digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing.
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Reports indicated that the transition could open new avenues for Jordan, especially as China increasingly prioritizes compliance, governance, sustainability, and supply-chain security in its foreign investments. The Jordan Strategy Forum identified multiple priorities that could assist the Kingdom in optimizing the economic advantages of the King's visit.
The primary goal is to establish Jordan as a reliable, globally linked manufacturing hub for Chinese investors focusing on overseas markets. The forum stated that the Kingdom's advantageous location, talented labor force, industrial areas, and preferential access to essential markets create a solid basis for this role.
A further focus is to broaden Chinese investment in areas that correspond with Jordan's Economic Modernisation Vision, such as advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, mining, pharmaceuticals, logistics, ICT and digital services, food sectors, and tourism.
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The forum stated that emphasis should be placed on initiatives that generate productive activities in Jordan, create high-paying employment, enhance local suppliers, facilitate technology and technical knowledge transfer, and increase and diversify exports. It also pinpointed renewable energy, electric vehicles and batteries, digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing as sectors where Jordan might pursue enhanced collaboration with Chinese firms.