The agreement will see the authorities responsible for both sites cooperate in promoting tourism, cultural exchange and sharing expertise.
Jordan and China boosted cultural collaboration this week, with a deal in the ancient city of Petra, amid Beijing’s push for more influence in the MENA region.
The agreement will see the authorities responsible for Petra and the Great Wall of China cooperate for cultural exchange and promoting tourism, building on a 2017 agreement twinning the two UNESCO historical sites.
Fares Braizat, Chief Commissioner of the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority, officiated the ceremony, along with Jiayuguan Municipality Culture and Tourism Bureau Director Zhao Shumin.
Braizat described the signing of the agreement as a “historical moment”.
“We are not just connecting two landmarks – we are connecting two great cultures from the Middle East and East Asia. This partnership promotes dialogue, fosters mutual respect, and raises global awareness of the values we share,” he said.
The agreement outlines a plan for bilateral cultural exchange, events, and tourism promotions. Experts from each side will also share knowledge on historical preservation.
Zhao Shumin said the deal will open “exciting new opportunities for Petra in the Chinese market”.
One of the seven wonders of the world, and classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1985, Petra was once the capital of the nomadic Nabataean Arab peoples. Over time, it has become a beacon for tourism in the country and the region.
The ancient city has similar twinning deals with authorities responsible for Rome’s Colosseum and Granada’s Alhambra.
Earlier this year, Jordanian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Lina Annab told Chinese news agency Xinhua that the Chinese market was a key target for Amman’s tourism plans.
Tourism accounts for around 12.5 percent of Jordan’s GDP, generating $6.7 billion in revenue for the first 11 months of 2024, according to Jordan’s Central Bank.
Data released by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in April revealed that Jordan had hosted more than 41,000 tourists from Asian countries in January and February of this year – an increase of 18.4 percent when compared to the same period in 2024.
