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China–Morocco relations

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China–Morocco relations
Map indicating locations of China and Morocco

China
Morocco
Diplomatic mission
Embassy of China, RabatEmbassy of Morocco, Beijing

China–Morocco relations refer to the bilateral relations between China and Morocco. China and Morocco established diplomatic relations on November 1, 1958.[1]: 345  Morocco establishes 'strategic partnership' with China in 2016, stronger partnership with China is sign that Morocco is seeking political and economic partners far from its traditional markets.[2]

History

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See also: Chinese people in Morocco

Du Huan, a Chinese traveler in the Tang dynasty, once traveled to the Maghreb region at that time. Moroccan Traveler, Scientist and adventurer, Ibn Battuta and Chinese traveller Wang Dayuan during Yuan dynasty visited each other's Continent (Respectively Africa and Asia) almost at the same time.

Hassan II and Zhou Enlai in 1964.

Morocco was the second African country to recognize officially the People's Republic of China on November 1, 1958. By its stability, geographic location and millenary friendship, the vision of Morocco in China shifted in the recent years from a solid cooperation to a strategic win-win partnership. Morocco's strategic choice based on diversifying its partners is reaffirmed during the official visit of King Mohammed VI to China in 2016. This visit enabled the strengthening of political relations between the two countries, based on the principles of friendship, understanding, solidarity, and a common will to diversify areas of bilateral cooperation.[3] A global strategic partnership between the Kingdom and the People's Republic of China was also signed during the visit, followed in 2017 by an agreement dedicated to the Chinese Silk Road and Belt Initiative.[4]

The relations between Morocco and China have noticed the remarkable pace of development of their cooperation in recent years in various fields, based on the strong diplomatic relations that bind them, as well as the strong political will that forces them to move towards promising horizons for cooperation, the Chinese special envoy for the Middle East, Zhai Jun said ‘Morocco is a Friend and Strategic Partner’.[5]

Economic and trade exchanges

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In 1995, both countries signed their comprehensive Economic and Trade agreement, enforced in 1999.

From 2000 to 2012, there are approximately 36 Chinese official development finance projects identified in Morocco through various media reports.[6] These projects range from a $248 million MOU with the Export-Import Bank of China to build the Berchid-Beni Mellal highway in 2011,[7] to a CNY 150 million preferential loan agreement in Rabat to build and equip eight private general hospitals in various regions in Morocco.[8]

In November 2016, Morocco announced it is currently planning to develop a new economic hub in the north of the country, with the assistance of development organisations and Chinese multinationals, including the international aeronautics firm Haite Group, Morocco-China International and BMCE Bank of Africa. The project is projected to cost $US11 billion.[9]

Trade exchanges increased considerably during the years and China became the 4th commercial partner of the country in 2018, representing 6,6% of Moroccan exchanges. This new dynamic regarding economic relations between the countries was illustrated by the visit in 2016 of His Majesty King Mohamed VI in Beijing and the signature of numerous agreements in multiple sectors, including energy, mining, infrastructures, industry and investment.

In January 2022, Morocco and China have enhanced their cooperation as they signed the joint Belt and Road implementation plan, Morocco became the first country in North Africa to sign comprehensive cooperation with China.[10]

Chinese nationals are exempt from visa for Morocco, for a maximum stay of 90 days.[11] Morocco becomes a popular destination for more and more Chinese tourists.[12]

Health

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At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Morocco sent medical protection equipment to China. On 22 March 2020, Morocco received Chinese donations (masks, ventilators and other medical equipment) to support its fight against COVID-19. In January 2021, Morocco received its first shipments of vaccine doses from Chinese state-owned Sinopharm, as well as AstraZeneca. Sinopharm carried out tests of its vaccine in Morocco in 2020, as part of China's global vaccine diplomacy efforts. Morocco says it eventually plans to produce the jab locally.[13]

United Nations

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In June 2020, Morocco was one of 53 countries that backed the Hong Kong national security law at the United Nations.[14]

In October 2020, Morocco was one of 46 countries that signed a joint statement supporting China's Xinjiang policies.[15][16]

With regard to the issue of Western Sahara conflict, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China supported Resolution 2240 in 2018 and resolution 2602 in 2021, which urged all parties to resume dialogue, in good faith, towards a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution, "which will provide for the self determination of the people of Western Sahara",[17] Zhang Jun, the Chinese representative to the UN encouraged the new Envoy to push forward with the political process, adding that his country will continue to hold an objective and fair position on the issue.[18][19]

Education

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Three Confucius Institutes were established in Morocco, the first in March 2008 at the Mohammed V University, the second in May 2012 at University of Hassan II Casablanca, and the third at the Abdelmalek Essaâdi University in September 2016.[20]

Defense cooperation

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The Al-Khalid tank jointly developed by China and Pakistan as the main ground equipment in Morocco. China North Industries Group Corporation Limited — commonly referred to as NORINCO — delivered 24 Sky Dragon 50 medium-range surface-to-air missiles to Morocco in December 2017.[21] HQ-9 (FD-2000B) surface-to-air defense missile systems deployed at military bases in Morocco's eastern provinces.[22]

Diplomatic missions

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Chinese Embassy

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The Chinese embassy is located in Rabat.[23]

Moroccan Embassy

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The Moroccan embassy is located in Beijing.[26]

Extradition

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China has an extradition treaty with Morocco.[1]: 188 

References

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  1. ^ a b Shinn, David H.; Eisenman, Joshua (2023). China's Relations with Africa: a New Era of Strategic Engagement. New York: Columbia University Press. ISBN 978-0-231-21001-0.
  2. ^ "Expanding Sino–Maghreb Relations". Chatham House. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  3. ^ "King Mohammed VI, Pres. Xi Jinping Sign Joint Statement on Strategic Partnership". Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  4. ^ "Moroccan-Chinese Relations : A locomotive for african development". Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  5. ^ "China's Mideast Special Envoy Visits Morocco in the Latest Stop of His Low-Key Regional Tour". The China Global South Project.
  6. ^ Austin Strange, Bradley C. Parks, Michael J. Tierney, Andreas Fuchs, Axel Dreher, and Vijaya Ramachandran. 2013. China’s Development Finance to Africa: A Media-Based Approach to Data Collection. CGD Working Paper 323. Washington DC: Center for Global Development.[1]
  7. ^ Strange, Parks, Tierney, Fuchs, Dreher, and Ramachandran, China’s Development Finance to Africa: A Media-Based Approach to Data Collection.http://aiddatachina.org/projects/2065
  8. ^ Strange, Parks, Tierney, Fuchs, Dreher, and Ramachandran, China’s Development Finance to Africa: A Media-Based Approach to Data Collection.http://aiddatachina.org/projects/1819
  9. ^ "Morocco Plans to Partner With China to Construct a New Industrial City". Railwaysafrica.com. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
  10. ^ "Morocco belt and road deal could give China gateway to Mediterranean, experts say". www.scmp.com. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  11. ^ "List of countries whose citizens are exempted from entry visa into Morocco". Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
  12. ^ "An outlook on Tourist Attractions in Morocco: the Booming of Chinese Arrivals" (PDF). The Center for West African Studies of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (CWAS o f UESTC).
  13. ^ "The large-scale vaccination campaign against COVID-19 in Morocco relies heavily on Chinese vaccine". bjreview.com. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
  14. ^ Lawler, Dave (2 July 2020). "The 53 countries supporting China's crackdown on Hong Kong". Axios. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  15. ^ "46 countries support China's anti-terrorism work in Xinjiang". www.chinadaily.com.cn.
  16. ^ "2020 Edition: Which Countries Are For or Against China's Xinjiang Policies?". DIPLOMAT MEDIA INC. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  17. ^ "Security Council extends mandate of UN peace mission in Western Sahara by six months". United Nations Security Council.
  18. ^ "Security Council Extends Mandate of United Nations Mission in Western Sahara, Adopting Resolution 2602 (2021) by 13 Votes in Favour, 2 Abstentions". UN. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  19. ^ "Resolution 2602 (2021) Adopted by the Security Council at its 8890th meeting, on 29 October 2021". United Nations Security Council.
  20. ^ Yellinek, Roie; Mann, Yossi; Lebel, Udi (2020-11-01). "Chinese Soft-Power in the Arab world – China's Confucius Institutes as a central tool of influence". Comparative Strategy. 39 (6): 517–534. doi:10.1080/01495933.2020.1826843. ISSN 0149-5933. S2CID 226263146.
  21. ^ "Satellite images show Morocco has built an air defense base near its capital". DefenseNews.com.
  22. ^ "Morocco receives Chinese anti-aircraft defense system FD-2000B". 21 December 2021. The North Africa Post.
  23. ^ "The Embassy of China in Rabat". Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  24. ^ "Informations sur l'Ambassadeur". ma.china-embassy.org. Retrieved 2022-01-26.
  25. ^ Toutate, Issam. "China's Ambassador Highlights Morocco-China Strong Cooperation". Retrieved 2022-01-26.
  26. ^ "The Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco to the People's Republ". www.moroccoembassy.com.cn. Retrieved 2022-01-26.
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