ALDAR/
In a heartfelt speech reflecting deep cultural admiration and mutual appreciation, the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Morocco, Mr. Li Changlin, revealed during a symposium held in Rabat on Thursday that he had written numerous articles in Chinese newspapers and magazines about Morocco. He highlighted the richness of its traditions, the authenticity of its architecture, the diversity of its cuisine, and the hospitality of its people. He also expressed great admiration for the achievements of Morocco’s national football team, describing it as a source of pride and inspiration.
The ambassador’s remarks came during his participation in a roundtable held Thursday in the Moroccan capital under the theme: “A Quarter Century of Moroccan-Chinese Relations: Achievements and Prospects.” This event served as an opportunity to shed light on the depth of cooperation between the two countries, which has witnessed a qualitative leap in recent years in areas such as economy, education, culture, and energy.
Ambassador Li Changlin emphasized that relations between Rabat and Beijing have reached a more mature and integrated stage, noting that Chinese companies have increased their investments in the Kingdom, especially in strategic sectors such as the automotive industry, renewable energies, and textiles. He considered this investment dynamic a reflection of China’s growing confidence in Morocco as a promising destination and a reliable partner at both African and Mediterranean levels.
He stressed that the future holds even greater opportunities for cooperation, particularly in the fields of culture and education. He called for a deeper shared vision and enhanced knowledge exchange, which would contribute to building a sustainable and fruitful partnership.
One of the highlights mentioned by the Chinese ambassador was the filming of the ninth season of the popular Chinese TV show “Chinese Restaurant” in the city of Tangier between May 20 and June 9, 2025. He described this event as a golden opportunity to boost the city’s international visibility and to present a vivid image of Morocco’s cultural and culinary diversity to millions of viewers across Asia.
For his part, prominent Moroccan academic Dr. Nasser Bouchiba, President of the Sino-African Cooperation Association for Development, shed light on China’s successful economic model. He explained that this rise is largely attributed to the massive financial resources allocated to scientific research and innovation, which in 2024 alone exceeded $500 billion, most of which was funded by the private sector.
Dr. Bouchiba called on Moroccan economic stakeholders to benefit from this rich experience, especially by forging scientific and technological partnerships with leading Chinese institutions, in ways that would positively impact local development and enhance the Kingdom’s competitiveness.
In another academic intervention, the director of the Confucius Institute in Rabat highlighted the crucial role the institute plays in teaching the Chinese language and enhancing cultural communication between the two peoples. She noted that the institute, a result of a partnership between Mohammed V University in Rabat and the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, opens its doors to Moroccans from the age of eight to learn Chinese for academic, touristic, or cultural purposes.
She added that the institute organizes annual meetings and workshops to deepen Moroccan understanding of Chinese civilization, thus strengthening the bridges of understanding and dialogue between the two sides.
All participants in the symposium agreed that Moroccan-Chinese relations received a strong boost following the historic visit of His Majesty King Mohammed VI to China in 2016, which culminated in the signing of a strategic partnership agreement with Chinese President Xi Jinping. This visit marked a pivotal turning point that propelled bilateral relations toward broader horizons of cooperation and integration.
This intellectual symposium, which brought together diplomats, experts, and international relations specialists, reflects the determination of both countries to enhance their multidimensional partnership—whether in the fields of economy, culture, or scientific research. It also confirms that Moroccan-Chinese rapprochement is no longer limited to traditional interests, but has become a model of South-South cooperation based on the exchange of expertise and respect for particularities, with the aim of building a more balanced and integrated shared future.
