China affirms its determination to raise relations with Morocco "to a new level"

The chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China, Zhao Leji, who is the head of the highest legislative body, affirmed Friday in Rabat his country's determination to "raise to a new level" bilateral relations with Morocco. 

During his meeting today with the Speaker of the House of Representatives (lower) of the Moroccan Parliament, Rachid Talbi Alami, the Chinese official stressed that Morocco is the first stage of his diplomatic tour following his appointment. 

Leji indicated during the meeting that the aim of his visit is to "strengthen the friendship and mutual trust between the two countries", while stressing that this year corresponds to the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. 

The Chinese official recalled King Mohammed VI's last visit to China in 2016 at the invitation of President Xi Jinping and the establishment of a "multilateral strategic partnership" by the two leaders. 

For his part, the Speaker of the Moroccan House of Representatives stressed "the proximity of views" between the two countries on several issues and noted that the two countries will continue to strengthen their bilateral cooperation by announcing the upcoming economic and cultural forum between the two Parliaments.

Talbi Alami stressed the strategic nature of relations between the two countries, citing as an example the elimination of visas, which increased the number of Chinese tourists visiting Morocco from 10,000 to 200,000 people (a dynamic that decreased after the pandemic). 

The Moroccan official also highlighted the interest of Chinese investors in the Maghreb country "as a stable and reliable partner on the African continent", and the cultural cooperation between the two countries, Morocco being the only country in the region to have four Confucius institutes for the promotion of Chinese language and culture, in addition to the institute of Chinese culture. 

Talbi Alami also welcomed China's favourable vote on resolution 2654 to extend the mandate of the UN mission in Western Sahara (MINURSO), a vote which the Moroccan official praised and interpreted as a kind of "recognition of the territorial unity" of Morocco. 

Accompanied by a large delegation, Leji yesterday visited Morocco for four days and met with the President of the government, Aziz Akhannouch, during which they discussed various areas of cooperation and regional and international issues. 

According to a statement from the Presidency of the Government, Akhannouch expressed his country's "consideration" for China's "constructive stance" on the Western Sahara conflict in the Security Council. 

During his stay in Morocco, Leji will meet with the president of the Chamber of Councillors, Naam Myara, visit several emblematic places in the country such as the Qasbah of the Udayas in Rabat and the Hassan II mosque in Casablanca, as well as the Confucius Institute in Rabat and the factory of the Chinese company Dicastal (specialist in aluminium wheels and the production of car parts) in Kenitra.