Chinese Foreign Minister and Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita sign a new agreement in Beijing to boost strategic ties. Image credit: Morocco World News
(The Post News) – Morocco and China have agreed to deepen bilateral relations by signing a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a mechanism of strategic dialogue between their foreign ministries.
Morocco’s Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi signed on Friday in Beijing. The deal looks to reshape summit-level dialogue, enhance coordination on global affairs, and deepen the 2016 strategic partnership launched between King Mohammed VI and President Xi Jinping.
Wang spoke positively of Morocco’s development projects during the reign of King Mohammed VI, mentioning those which open the door for Africa’s development. He added that Morocco was among the first Arab and African states to have had diplomatic relations with China and that next year would be 10 years since the two countries sealed their strategic alliance.
“China is pleased to stand side by side with Morocco to maintain top-level exchanges, expand cooperation in all areas, and commence jointly a brighter future for China-Arab relations and China-Morocco relations,” Wang said. Beijing stands ready to join hands with Rabat and the rest of the world, he added, to achieve an even more just international order.
Morocco’s Strategic Choice
Bourita reaffirmed the “one-China” principle of Moroccan support, vowing Rabat’s stand in favour of Beijing’s sovereignty and security interests. He said that Morocco views relations with China as a “strategic choice,” and his nation is ready to enhance bilateral cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and expand exchanges in tourism, education, and culture.
“Morocco welcomes and values the Global Governance Initiative put forward by China,” Bourita explained, passing on greetings from King Mohammed VI to President Xi Jinping.
The ministers also talked about regional affairs, including the situation in the Middle East, noting their determination to enhance cooperation on issues of mutual interest.
The signing of the MoU signifies both countries’ commitment to formalizing regular dialogue and broadening cooperation beyond economic ties, indicating Morocco’s growing role as a bridge between Africa, the Arab world, and China.
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