EVENTS
Event Highlights
Talk on “Jordan: A War Buffer on the Silk Road”
2025-03-28
On 28 March, the Maritime Silk Road Society organized a seminar Talk on “Jordan: A War Buffer on the Silk Road”, presented by Ms Susanna Cheung, a veteran journalist and Director of Barefoot Project.
Ms Cheung introduced Jordan's unique geographical position, emphasizing its role as a buffer between Israel and Iraq.
She discussed the cultural diversity of Jordan, noting its influence from various civilizations such as Assyria, Babylon, Rome, and Byzantium. With the rise of Islam, Jordan became part of the Arab Empire, which impacted its cultural and religious structure. Since the 20th century, changes in international relations and the influence of Western culture have further enriched Jordan's cultural landscape, and the acceptance of a large number of refugees has enhanced its ethnic and religious diversity.
She also analyzed the reasons behind Jordan becoming a refugee country, emphasizing that its historical background is closely related to conflicts in neighbouring countries. From 1921, Jordan has experienced multiple conflicts, including the Arab-Israeli wars of 1948 and 1967, which led to a significant influx of Palestinian refugees.
Ms Cheung visited Jordan and Palestine earlier this year. She shared her observations from her time in Jordan, showcasing the country's natural scenery and culture, and describing the realities of Palestinian refugee camps, particularly the plight of many refugee children facing the risk of losing their lives and the opportunity of receiving their education. Towards the end of her presentation, Ms Cheung recited the poem “Think of Others” written by a renowned Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish to express sympathy for the refugees and her desire for peace.
