Peking University, Sept. 9, 2017: From July 18th to 23rd, a surveying project to Jordan was successfully organized by the faculty of the Arabic Department in Peking University’s School of Foreign Languages. Headed by Professor Wu Bingbing, deputy director of Arabic Language and Culture, the research group consisted of nine delegates from the School of Foreign Languages and Yenching Academy. The survey aimed to focus on the living conditions of the Syrian refugees in Jordan, in hopes that insight may be gained into the immigration issues in the Middle East.
The research group called on the Chinese Embassy in Jordan and paid a visit to the Jordan-China Friendship Association as well as a number of local organizations including the University of Jordan. Mr. Pan Weifang, ambassador of the Chinese Embassy in Jordan, welcomed the group and prompted thorough discussions about the national conditions of Jordan and its bilateral relationship to China, with special focus on Jordan’s refugee policy since the earliest Middle Eastern conflicts of the modern century and the Chinese government’s perspectives and actions taken.
The research group with Mr. Pan
Dr. Gamal, chairman of the Jordan-China Friendship Association, invited the group members to dine at his house during the visit, where they were joined by Dr. Marwan, former minister of the Department of Agriculture and President of Philadelphia University Jordan.
The research group also paid a visit to Jordan Strategic Research Centre, a first-ranking think tank which counsels the government and private sector in numerous critical aspects.
In addition to visiting refugee aid organizations including the International Red Cross, UNESCO and UNICEF, the research group also visited the refugee camps of the Collateral Repair Project in the Mafraq Governorate, East Amman. The group members examined the living conditions of the refugees in person through visits and talks with leaders in the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization as well as the aided children.
Dinner with a refugee family
Group picture with CRP
Professor Wu talking to the refugee children
Special thanks to Mrs. Wang Ying, alumnus of the Department of Arabic, and Ms. Su Yi’an, alumni of the Yenching Academy, for their support and help.
Written by: Ma Xiao
Edited by: Fu Wenyun & Karen Xu
