Gov’t Head Holds Talks with Chinese Vice-Premier in Beijing

Morocco’s Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch held, on Thursday in Beijing, talks with Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang on the sidelines of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit. Representing His Majesty King Mohammed VI at the Summit, Akhannouch was accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates Nasser Bourita, Minister Delegate in charge of Investment, Convergence and Evaluation of Public Policies Mohcine Jazouli, Ambassador and Director General of the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation (AMCI) Mohamed Methqal, the Kingdom’s Ambassador to Beijing Abdelkader El Ansari and President of the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM) Chakib Alj. During the talks, both parties welcomed the excellent relations between the two countries in political, economic, social, cultural and educational sectors, in accordance with the High Instructions of His Majesty King Mohammed VI and Chinese President Xi Jinping.  The two top officials also welcomed their countries’ mutual support on key issues in regional and international fora.      The Head of Government noted that the visit of HM the King to the People’s Republic of China in May 2016 has boosted relations between the two countries, following the signing of the bilateral strategic partnership, expressing the wish to see this momentum consolidated and further developed in the future.  He also expressed the Kingdom’s willingess to strengthen its fruitful and strategic cooperation with China, notably within the framework of the triangular and multidimensional partnership between Morocco, China and Africa. In this respect, Akhannouch highlighted the multiple initiatives launched by His Majesty King Mohammed VI for Africa, reflecting Morocco’s commitment to peace, stability, regional integration and sustainable development on the continent. In particular, he cited the International initiative to facilitate access to the Atlantic Ocean for Sahel countries, aimed at giving this region more direct and beneficial access to the ocean, thus strengthening trade and economic exchanges, in addition to the Atlantic African States Process (AASP), a flagship initiative intended to make the Atlantic African space an area of peace, stability and shared prosperity. The Head of Government also mentioned the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline project, which aims to create a strategic energy corridor to promote energy cooperation and stimulate economic growth in the region.  For his part, Ding, who was accompanied by several senior Chinese officials, emphasized the “unique” nature of bilateral relations, particularly since His Majesty the King’s visit to China in 2016. China is prepared to work with Morocco to deepen cooperation in sectors such as infrastructure, trade, investment, culture, education and tourism, Ding noted, emphasizing the importance of breaking new ground for the bilateral strategic partnership.  The meeting was followed by a luncheon headed by Ding and Akhannouch, hosted by Chairman of the Chinese State Council in honor of the Moroccan delegation taking part in the FOCAC Summit.  FOCAC kicked off this Thursday at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, with the participation of Chinese President Xi Jinping and African Heads of State and Government, including Morocco.