1. Political relations
China and Morocco established diplomatic relations in November
1958. Over the past 43 years the political relations between China
and Morocco have been developing steadily and smoothly. The two
countries share the close or similar views on many international
issues. Morocco supports China's stand on Taiwan, human rights and
other issues, speaks highly of China's resumption of sovereignty
over Hong Kong according to the principle of "one country, two
systems" and admires China's successful reform and opening-up
policy. Morocco is willing to further its relations with China. In
1996, China and Morocco signed the agreement on holding regular
political consultation between the two foreign ministries.
Exchange of major visits included:
China: Premier Zhou Enlai (1963), Premier Zhao Ziyang (1982),
President Yang Shangkun (1992), Premier Li Peng (1995), President
Jiang Zemin (1999), State Councilor Luo Gan (2000), Vice Chairman
of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC)
Tian Jiyuan (2000), State Councilor and Defense Minister Chi
Haotian (2000), Vice Chairman of the Chinese People's Political
Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Li Guixian (2000), Chairman of the
CPPCC Li Ruihuan (2001), Premier Zhu Rongji (2002), Vice Premier
Hui Liangyu (2005), and Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee Wu
Bangguo (2005).
Morocco: Brother of King Hassan II Abdallah (1964), Prime
Minister Maati Bouabid (1982), Speaker of Parliament Othmane
(1986), Princess Lalla Meriem (daughter of King Hassan II) and her
husband (1987), Crown Prince Sidi Mohammed (1991), Prime Minister
Youssoufi (1998), and King Mohammed VI (2002).
2. Economic and trade relations and economic and
technical cooperation
The volume of trade between China and Morocco totaled US$309.3
million in 1999 and US$336 million in 2000. The volume of trade
between China and Morocco in 2001 was US$384 million.
The commodities China exports to Morocco mainly include light
industrial products, textiles, green tea, mechanical and electronic
products, etc. China imports phosphates, chemical fertilizer and
cobalt sand.
The two governments have set up a mixed committee on economy,
trade and technology. In January 2001, the 6th session of the mixed
committee was held in Beijing.
In October 2000, the Moroccan Bank for Foreign Trade set up an
office in Beijing.
China has rendered Morocco certain economic aid since 1961.
Mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Morocco was
initiated in 1983. Presently China's contracted projects in Morocco
mainly concentrate on fishery cooperation.
3. Exchanges and cooperation in public health and
culture
China dispatched its first medical team to Morocco in September
1975. Sino-Moroccan agreement on medical cooperation was renewed in
1998. Currently there are 120 medical workers working in different
medical stations in Morocco.
China began sending students to Morocco in 1975.
4. Important agreements
In 1958, the two countries signed the first governmental Trade
Agreement.
In 1995, new Economical Trade Agreement and Investment
Protection Agreement were signed.
In 1996 the two countries signed an Agreement of Legal
Assistance on Civil and Business Affairs and an Agreement on
Holding Regular Political Consultations Between the Foreign
Ministry of the People's Republic of China and Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and Cooperation of the Kingdom of Morocco.
In 1998, the two countries signed an Agreement on Quarantine
Cooperation Concerning Animals and Plants and an Agreement on Civil
Air Transport.
In 2002, China and Morocco signed the following documents:
The Protocol Between the Government of the People's Republic of
China and the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco on Cooperation
in the Fields of Social Development, Employment and Vocational
Training
The Agreement Between the Government of the People's Republic of
China and the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco on Environmental
Cooperation
The Agreement Between the Ministry of Health of the People's
Republic of China and the Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of
Morocco on Health Cooperation
The Agreement Between the Government of the People's Republic of
China and the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco on Tourism
Cooperation
The Cooperative Agreement Between the Administration of Radio,
Film and Television of China and the Bureau of Radio and Television
of Morocco
The Cooperative Agreement Between the Xinhua News Agency of the
People's Republic of China and the Magreb Arab Press Agency of
Morocco
The Agreement Between the Government of the People's Republic of
China and the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco on the Avoidance
of Double Taxation on Income and the Prevention of Tax Evasion
The Cooperation Protocol Between the Ministry of Construction of
the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Territorial
Improvement, Urban Construction, Housing and Environment of the
Kingdom of Morocco.?
(Chinese Foreign Ministry?October 10,?2006)