Morocco-China relations continue to grow

The years-old relationship between Morocco and China is based on friendship, mutual respect and solidarity. A new dimension was added to the ties with the signing of a strategic partnership in May 2016 during the visit of King Mohammed VI to Beijing.

Morocco and China share the common characteristics of political stability and good governance thanks to the enlightened leaderships of King Mohammed VI and President Xi Jinping, respectively. There has been constancy and sustainability in the close relations that tie both countries, offering numerous opportunities and a promising horizon to lead the nations toward positive and constructive progress.

In 2024, the upward dynamics of the bilateral relations were evident from the numerous visits and high-level exchanges, especially the symbolic visit of Xi to Casablanca on Nov 21 and 22, following his participation in the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and the G20 Summit.

On this occasion, Xi had the opportunity to engage in an exchange with Moroccan Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan. They celebrated the vitality of the relations that is evident in every field that the two countries cooperate in.

The strength of economic and commercial exchanges as well as the significant increase in Chinese investments in Morocco in areas such as infrastructure, automobile manufacturing, electric batteries, renewable energy and textiles, reflect the continuous upgrading of links between the two countries that will be further consolidated following the restarting of direct flights between Casablanca, Beijing and Shanghai this month.

These flights will help bring people closer by reducing time and distance, while contributing to an increase in the number of Chinese tourists traveling to Morocco.

The Kingdom of Morocco expects to attract more and more Chinese tourists so that they can discover and enjoy the civilization, architecture, culture, traditions, gastronomy and the lifestyle of a state deeply rooted in history of more than 14 centuries characterized by its openness, tolerance, modernity and well-being.

Similarly, China has always been a prime destination for Moroccan tourists, who have been captivated by the richness of its ancient civilization. Furthermore, Chinese universities provide quality training in various fields such as science, innovation and high technologies, attracting each year a substantial number of Moroccan students in quest of excellence.

This multidimensional momentum of the bilateral partnership also benefits China's relations with the rest of the African continent. As a country carrying a vision focused on the development and blossoming of Africa in a framework of peace and stability, the Kingdom of Morocco offers through the Royal initiatives multiple opportunities for connectivity, development and collective progress for the benefit of the peoples. This vision of King Mohammed VI helped break the vicious cycle of poverty and recurrent instability in Africa and provided an entrance space for great projects in the continent necessary to achieve the noble objectives.

The 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation held in Beijing last September highlighted China's engagement with Africa through promoting peace, defending national sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as by preserving the main principles of equity and justice.

As promoted by the Beijing Declaration adopted during the summit, tripartite cooperation offers both Morocco and China the possibility to create a positive synergy for Africa by combining skills, expertise and complementary visions. These are supported by the Royal initiatives of Morocco and the initiatives of China, among which is the Belt and Road Initiative, for a pacific, developed and connected continent, opening up cooperation and partnerships for the benefit of the African population.

In this regard, Moroccan people have observed with a great deal of admiration the spectacular development that China achieved over the last decades in every single field with the support of all nation's forces ensuring the modernization of the country and prosperity of the friendly Chinese people.

The author is Moroccan ambassador to China. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.