Prospects for developing Morocco-China economic, commercial exchanges reviewed in Beijing

The prospects for developing economic and commercial exchanges between Morocco and China were reviewed by the two countries’ Foreign Ministers at a meeting held Wednesday in Beijing.

Visiting Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and his Chinese peer Wang Yi, focused in their talks on the opportunities offered by Morocco’s global trade, through the encouragement of Chinese investments in the Kingdom.

During the meeting, held part of the positive dynamic marking bilateral relations since the signing of the strategic partnership declaration during the visit King Mohammed VI paid to Beijing in May 2016, the two sides reaffirmed their clear, constant and mutual support on fundamental issues pertaining to the vital interests of the Kingdom of Morocco and the People’s Republic of China.

The two Ministers also lauded the depth and richness of the friendship and cooperation ties binding the two countries, and welcomed the dynamic and ambitious initiatives taken to strengthen bilateral political, economic and cultural ties.

Surveying the prospects for developing economic and commercial exchanges, and encouraging Chinese investments in the Kingdom, the two sides underlined that the Cité Mohammed VI Tanger-Tech, launched on the occasion of the royal visit to Beijing in 2016, as an ambitious industrial and smart city project, that illustrates the convergence of Moroccan and Chinese visions. The city aims to become a major hub for advanced technologies and new-generation industrial projects.

Growing Chinese investments in the Kingdom, particularly in electric mobility, automotive, renewable energies and infrastructure sectors, is evidence to the success of this initiative, the two officials pointed out.

In addition, the talks were an opportunity to note the increase of Chinese tourist flows to Morocco, thanks to the Sovereign’s farsighted decision to lift visa requirements for Chinese citizens since June 1, 2016. This move has considerably strengthened cultural and human ties between the two friendly countries.

During the meeting, Bourita expounded the recent initiatives announced by King Mohammed VI, including the initiative geared towards promoting stability, security and economic prosperity in African countries bordering the Atlantic; the initiative to encourage access of Sahel countries to the Atlantic Ocean, as well as the strategic Morocco-Nigeria gas pipeline project which aims to strengthen regional integration and boost economic development along Africa’s Atlantic coast and beyond.

For his part, Wang Yi, who is member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China, hailed the leadership of King Mohammed VI in promoting the Kingdom’s stability and economic and social development, and praised Morocco’s contribution to the promotion of regional and international peace and security.

The two officials also welcomed the progress made under the “Belt and Road” Initiative, with the signing of the 2017 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the Implementation Plan for the joint construction of the initiative in 2022.

The talks also covered other regional and international issues of common interest.