The visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Morocco lasted less than 24 hours, and raised many questions. Welcomed by the Crown Prince and accompanied by Aziz Akhannouch, this lightning passage reveals its first indiscretions with a press release published by the Chinese press agency, Xinhua. Above all, you should know that it was not a state visit but “a stopover” made by Xi Jinping on his return from Brazil where he was present as part of the last G20. According to Xinhua, the Chinese news agency, Xi Jinping reaffirmed his country’s commitment to continuing to work with Morocco. A commitment that should go in the direction of “firmly supporting each other on issues concerning their respective fundamental interests, and promoting greater development of the China-Morocco strategic partnership,” writes the agency. Assurances expressed by the distinguished guest to Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, accompanied by the Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch. Asking the Crown Prince to convey his greetings to King Mohammed VI, “the president stressed that China and Morocco had experienced healthy development of their relations, with fruitful practical cooperation and increasingly dynamic exchanges in various fields,” the Agency reported. She also goes on to affirm that China is ready to work with Morocco to implement the results of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the 10th Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Arab States Cooperation, and work for more results in practical cooperation across various fields within the framework of cooperation around the Belt and Road Initiative.
Also in this interview, Xi Jinping recalled the support of the Middle Kingdom to Morocco’s efforts in preserving national security and stability, calling on the two countries to expand cultural and people-to-people exchanges, in order to strengthen public support for their friendship. A message to which Prince Moulay El Hassan would have responded by emphasizing the strong bilateral ties. Xinhua indicates that the Prince thanked China for the support provided to Morocco during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Noting that the two countries had similar positions on many issues, he said that the Moroccan side was ready to work with China to support each other in preserving national sovereignty, security and stability,” we read. The Agency reports, in short, an exchange of good practices between the two parties, and a mutual wish to continue the development of bilateral relations and the maintenance of high-level exchanges, as well as a strengthening of cooperation in other areas, notably culture.
