A senior Chinese leader and Jordan's Prime Minister Nader Al-dahabi on Monday agreed to intensify cooperation and ties between China and Jordan.

China and Jordan have carried out fruitful cooperation in politics, economy, culture, and constantly progressed in cooperation in energy, science and technology, education, among other fields, since they forged diplomatic ties in 1977, said He Guoqiang.

As both are developing nations, they are faced with the common task of developing their own economies and improving people's livelihood, said He, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Part of China (CPC) Central Committee.

He, also secretary of the CPC's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, said that it was in the common interests of both countries and peoples to constantly push forward the China-Jordan ties.

On the Middle East situation, He said China has always kept a close watch on what happened in that region and appointed a special envoy on Middle East issues.

"The Chinese government sincerely hopes that the Middle East would maintain peace and stability and people in the region enjoy their livelihood," He said. "We will make unremitting efforts to work with the international community for that goal."

For his part, Al-dahabi said that the Jordan-China frequent high-level exchanges would be significant to cementing and developing their bilateral ties.

Al-dahabi said Jordan would like to work with China to step up all-round exchanges, particularly to boost bilateral trade cooperation.

Jordan's trade with China hit about 360 million US dollars in the first quarter this year, only next to Saudi Arabia and the United States, according to Jordan's official statistics.

Al-dahabi appreciated China's impartial stance on the Middle East and its positive role in safeguarding regional and world peace and stability. He said Jordan would always regard China as its sincere friend.

On the global economic downturn, He briefed Al-dahabi on China's responsive efforts, particularly a package of measures focused on expanding the domestic demand.

Also on Monday, He went to a construction site in Baqa, 20 km north of the Jordanian capital of Amman, where a hospital is being built with China's assistance.

Jordan is the third leg of He's fortnight tour, following his stops in Egypt and Spain. He will also visit Mongolia.

(Xinhua News Agency June 24, 2009)