Rabat – China and Morocco are boosting bilateral diplomatic ties through the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding.
Morocco’s Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita signed the agreement on Friday in Beijing with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.
The agreement seeks to set up a strategic dialogue mechanism between the two countries’ foreign affairs ministries, as well as restructuring high-level dialogue between Rabat and Beijing.
The text also aims to enhance coordination and communication on issues of mutual interest, building on the 2016 joint statement on strategic partnership between King Mohammed VI and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
During the meeting with Bourita, Wang Yi commended Moroccan initiatives launched under King Mohammed VI, including projects that seek to contribute to Africa’s development.
This reflect an international recognition in favor of Morocco’s commitment to Africa. The Moroccan strategy prioritize citizen-centered approaches within the framework of South-South cooperation.
Fir his part, Bourita conveyed Morocco’s support for the initiatives launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping, including the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, as well as the recent Global Governance Initiative, announced at the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit, held from August 31 to September 1, in Tianjin.
Bourita also announced Morocco’s decision to join the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed), launched at China’s initiative and headquartered in Hong Kong.
China and Morocco have consistently reiterated their determination to continue boosting bilateral ties across all levels.
Officials from the two countries stress the importance of these ties, particularly in the industrial and economic sectors.
In April, Minister of Industry Ryad Mezzour said that the Chinese-Moroccan ties span all sectors, including industrial, energy, and logistics fields.
Data from the Observatory of Economic Complexity said that China-Morocco trade reached a new record in the first half of this year. Exports from China to Morocco increased by 20.4% year-on-year. These exports amounted to $52.9 billion in the same period. The Asian country is Morocco’s third-largest commercial partner.
China has been expanding its presence in Morocco, viewing the North African country as a gateway to Africa.
In 2024, Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged his country’s continuous support and determination to work along with Morocco at all levels.
He made his remarks during his meeting with Moroccan Crown Prince Moulay Hassan. During the meeting, he said that China and Morocco’s ties witnessed “sound development in their relations, with fruitful practical cooperation and increasingly vibrant exchanges in various fields.”
As part of its strategic cooperation with China, Morocco recently received the first batch of 723 high-end Yutong buses from the Asian country.
The delivery is part of Morocco’s preparatory campaign for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON), which will take place in the North African country this December.
