Taiwan is using a diplomatic reception in Amman to deepen tech and trade links with Jordan — a modest but positive step for both sides.

• Taiwan's representative office in Jordan held its National Day event with 200 guests from Jordanian government, business and academic circles, plus local Taiwanese residents and business owners.
• Taiwan's representative Yang Hsin-yi pointed to strong recent economic performance driven by AI and chips, and offered Taiwan as a partner in humanitarian aid and development.
• Taiwan wants more cooperation with Middle East countries on AI, cybersecurity, smart cities, water management and renewable energy.
• On security, Yang grouped the Taiwan Strait with the Bab el-Mandeb and the Strait of Hormuz as shipping lanes the world depends on, and pledged stronger self-defense and work with like-minded countries.
• Trade between the two runs near $200 million a year and is lopsided: Taiwan sells far more to Jordan than it buys.

Outlook: With no formal diplomatic ties, the two sides will keep working through their trade offices in Amman and Taipei, with tech, education and trade the most likely areas to grow.