Mohammed V University and Beijing Inaugurate Moroccan-Chinese Center to Promote Cultural and Tourism Cooperation
Ahmed EL Bouhassani
The Confucius Institute at Mohammed V University in Rabat hosted, on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, the official inauguration ceremony of the “Moroccan-Chinese Center for Cultural and Tourism Cooperation Studies”. The initiative aims to strengthen academic, cultural and tourism ties between Morocco and China. The event coincided with the awards ceremony for the winners of the Chinese-language public speaking competition.
The event was co-chaired by Mohamed Benhamou, Vice-President of Mohammed V University in charge of Governance, representing the University President, Mohamed Ghachi, and Mo Peng, Vice Mayor of Beijing. The ceremony was attended by Yu Jinsong, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Morocco, alongside the directors of the Confucius Institute, Professor Karima El Yatribi and Professor Dai Xiaoci, as well as a high-level Chinese delegation comprising officials from the Beijing Municipal Government and the Beijing Municipal Education Commission.
The ceremony featured the unveiling of the official plaque of the new center, in the presence of Moroccan and Chinese officials, marking the launch of this institutional initiative aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two sides in the fields of culture, tourism and academic studies.
The programme also included a series of Chinese artistic and cultural performances presented by Moroccan students, featuring Kung Fu demonstrations, including performances under the theme “Chinese Kung Fu for Kids”. A documentary film entitled “This Is Beijing” was also screened, highlighting the cultural and historical heritage of the Chinese capital.
On the sidelines of the event, the winners of the Chinese-language public speaking competition were honoured. The first prizes were awarded to Fatima Zahra Taher El Youssfi, Rania El Mehrmi and Arwa El Abyad, during a ceremony attended by participating officials and diplomatic and academic figures.
The awards ceremony also included the presentation of second prizes, as well as distinctions for Outstanding Public Speaking Coach and Best Organising Unit, in recognition of the contributions made to the success of the competition and to promoting the learning of Chinese among Moroccan students.
The event concluded with a tour of the “Enchanting Beijing” exhibition and the cultural exhibitions organised in the Institute’s courtyard. The occasion reflected the depth of friendship and cooperation between Morocco and China, as well as the role played by academic and cultural institutions in bringing the two peoples closer together.
