China Seeks to Expand Multisectoral Cooperation with Morocco as Gateway to Africa
Gong Zheng, mayor of the municipal People's Government of Shanghai, conveyed his country's ambition on Tuesday in Rabat during a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the deployment of the first Chinese medical teams to Morocco.
During the event, the Chinese mayor emphasized the importance of cooperation between the two countries at all levels, including within the medical sector.
He said that the Chinese medical teams have worked alongside their Moroccan counterparts to contribute to developing Morocco's healthcare system over the past five decades.
He also said the experience contributed to boosting lasting ties of friendship and cooperation, hailing the growth and momentum in relations between China and African countries, which stems from President Xi Jinping's pledge to elevate these ties.
For his part, Minister of Health Amine Tahraoui said that Morocco and China share a common vision for African development at all levels, including investment and technical cooperation, among others.
He said that Morocco and China aspire to develop triangular cooperation with African countries, not only in health but also in other key sectors.
Morocco is well-positioned to actively contribute to initiatives aimed at strengthening health systems, medical training, local pharmaceutical production, and expanding healthcare coverage across the continent, Tahraoui said.
The Moroccan health minister emphasized how the Morocco-China partnership extends into fields like digital health, AI in medical care, training, biomedical research, and integrative traditional medicine.
Morocco and China are tied with several joint initiatives, including the Bright Journey, a campaign targeting eye diseases, as well as the establishment of a traditional Chinese medicine center in Mohammedia. China donated medical equipment to Morocco during COVID-10, and has also trained Moroccan professionals in Chinese hospitals.
In terms of economy, trade between the two countries increased by 50% between 2021 and 2022, reaching $7.6 billion. This makes China Morocco's third-largest trading partner and its top economic ally in Asia.
China also injected $56 million into key sectors like transport, energy, and real estate.
Mehdi Laraki, president of the Morocco-China Business Council, said in March 2024 that Morocco receives nearly 40 Chinese delegations annually, with China seeing the North African country not only as a standalone market but also as a gateway to Africa and Europe. Tags: China and Moroccorelations between China and Morocco
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Ya Biladi
an hour ago
- Ya Biladi
A US think tank credits Algeria with a role in resolving the Sahara issue
An American think tank with close ties to Israel is lobbying in favor of Algeria's interests under the Trump administration. The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, founded in 1985, stated in a recent report that «Algeria can serve as a key U.S. security partner in an increasingly volatile region». In January, Algiers and Washington even signed a military memorandum of understanding. The think tank encourages U.S. officials to «capitalize on Algeria» eagerness to restore its global image as a capable peace broker on the continent. However, that «eagerness» has been met with rejection by Sahel countries. Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—united since September 2023 under the Alliance of Sahel States—have strongly denounced what they described as «Algerian interference in their internal affairs». Beyond the instability in the Sahel, the think tank also acknowledges Algeria's «crucial role» in resolving the Western Sahara conflict. «Boosting Algeria's self-perception as a valued partner will be critical given the unprecedented Western alignment behind Morocco's plan to negotiate a resolution to the Western Sahara conflict at the UN Security Council, and what appears to be an irreversible U.S. position of recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over the territory». The report suggests that «Algiers might even conceivably play a role in persuading the Polisario to accept a negotiated model of self-governance, with the Moroccan autonomy plan as the starting framework. But this unlikely development would have to be premised on U.S. respect for Algeria». Despite claiming only «observer status» similar to Mauritania, Algeria has officially rejected the most recent UN Security Council resolutions calling for the resumption of the Round Table process, which has been stalled since March 2019. On Thursday, Algeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated its support for a resolution allowing the Sahrawi people «to exercise their inalienable and imprescriptible right to self-determination, in accordance with the relevant resolutions of international legality emanating from the General Assembly or the Security Council». For the record, Algeria hired U.S. lobbying firm BGR Group in September 2024 to defend its interests in Washington. The firm is known for its strong ties to Israel. Notable figures such as John Bolton, a staunch supporter of both the Polisario Front and Israel, the late Republican Senator James Inhofe (who passed away on July 9, 2024), and former UN envoy for Western Sahara James Baker, all voiced support for Algeria's position. In December 2020, all three welcomed the resumption of diplomatic relations between Rabat and Tel Aviv but simultaneously condemned President Donald Trump's recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara.
Ya Biladi
9 hours ago
- Ya Biladi
Investigation into Mehdi Ben Barka's disappearance continues in Paris with renewed efforts
In Paris, the investigation into the disappearance of Mehdi Ben Barka, abducted in 1965 outside the Lipp brasserie, is still ongoing. His son, Bachir Ben Barka, was recently interviewed as a civil party. The hearing lasted two hours. He insists that «the investigation is not at a standstill» and praised the dedication of the current investigating judge. «In just one year, she has immersed herself in the case and is determined to move the investigation forward», he told AFP. Opened in 1975, it is the oldest ongoing judicial investigation in France. Mehdi Ben Barka, a leading figure in the anti-colonial movement and a vocal opponent of King Hassan II, was never found. He had been sentenced to death in absentia by Moroccan authorities. A 1967 trial revealed the involvement of Moroccan intelligence, assisted by French police officers and underworld criminals. But for Bachir Ben Barka, the circle of responsibility is wider. «It's now established that Israeli intelligence was involved in the disappearance, and that both French and American services had prior knowledge», he stated, firmly convinced that his father was the victim of a coordinated conspiracy. He condemned the inaction of both French and Moroccan authorities. «I think they're just waiting for all the witnesses to die», he said bitterly, also denouncing the «masquerade» of the French state after its much-publicized declassification of documents already present in the case file. Of the five arrest warrants issued in 2007, only two remain active. The other three suspects have since died, including General Hosni Benslimane and Miloud Tounsi, also known as Larbi Chtouki. According to the family's lawyer, Marie Dosé, time might still play in favor of uncovering the truth. «Some witnesses may finally dare to speak. Some documents might yet be declassified», she said, though with cautious pessimism.
Morocco World
13 hours ago
- Morocco World
Morocco's 2030 World Cup to Create Over 100,000 Jobs Annually
Marrakech – Morocco's co-hosting of the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal will generate more than 100,000 jobs per year and boost economic growth by 1.7%, Economy and Finance Minister Nadia Fettah announced Friday in Rabat. 'The economic benefits of co-organizing the 2030 World Cup have been rigorously modeled, with an estimated impact of 1.7% additional growth and the creation of over 100,000 jobs annually,' Fettah stated at the eighth Morocco Today Forum (MTF). The minister stressed that this momentum presents opportunities for both large Moroccan companies with the necessary scale to accelerate growth and for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that must be fully integrated into this transformation. 'What we are experiencing today constitutes a transformation boulevard for our country, not on the horizon of 2030, but right now, serving a more inclusive future,' she added. Fettah noted that the World Cup co-hosting also offers a major opportunity to accelerate artisans' access to financial services through mobile banking while strengthening mobility and connectivity infrastructure essential for sustainable and equitable territorial transformation. Building trust in digital Morocco In the digital sphere, Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, Minister Delegate for Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, outlined the foundations of a new service culture necessary to support this strategic project. She described three essential pillars: trust in digital technology, citizens' capacity to interact with digital tools, and accountability, which is crucial for evaluating public services. Regarding trust, 'we are currently working on the digital law, which will be proposed next fall after validation by the competent authorities, then submitted to Parliament,' Seghrouchni revealed. This law, developed in close collaboration with the National Commission for the Control of Personal Data Protection (CNDP), the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN), the General Directorate of Information Systems Security (DGSSI), and the Digital Development Agency (ADD), aims to establish a lasting climate of trust between citizens and digital services, she explained. The minister added that beyond training and awareness initiatives, her department is investing in generative artificial intelligence, an essential vector for democratizing digital access. World Cup as catalyst for growth Expanding on the economic benefits, Industry and Commerce Minister Ryad Mezzour pointed out that the mega-event drives public investments by offering enhanced visibility and stronger incentives across industrial sectors. 'Today, this unifying project accelerates our investments, particularly public ones, by offering better visibility and reinforced incentives for investment in various industrial sectors,' Mezzour said. He identified construction, railway, and airport sectors as prime candidates to attract investors, noting these sectors align with Morocco's structured development process that increasingly distinguishes itself through sustained growth and a recognized position among the world's most competitive economies. 'The challenge is to make the 2030 World Cup a sustainable transformation lever by mobilizing long-term investments that will allow Morocco to take a significant step in the Kingdom's development,' Mezzour explained. 2030: Morocco's strategic leap Contributing to the discussion, Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the 2030 World Cup Committee and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), affirmed that the joint organization of the World Cup will inject new momentum into infrastructure, economy, and employment while enhancing Africa's image globally. 'More than a football event, this World Cup is an institutional, economic, strategic, geopolitical, and civilizational occasion that serves as an accelerator of growth and ongoing transformations,' Lekjaa declared in an address read by Mouad Hajji, General Coordinator at FRMF. He clarified that this sporting event provides an exceptional platform to consolidate achievements, stimulate investments, strengthen infrastructure, modernize territorial governance, and cement Morocco's international influence. Lekjaa added that organizing this sporting event 'is neither coincidental nor a matter of circumstance but part of a clear strategic process guided by King Mohammed VI's enlightened vision.' On the international front, Miguel Angel Moratinos, UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations, praised Morocco's profound transformations across various fields under Royal leadership. Speaking at the forum's opening, Moratinos expressed admiration for 'Morocco's progress path, aligned with the King's visionary guidance.' 'The 2030 deadline constitutes an opportunity for the Kingdom to continue its momentum of reforms and move forward in implementing its major development projects,' Moratinos stated. He added that for the UN, 2030 is a reference year to evaluate results of the 2030 agenda in various domains, particularly poverty elimination and education improvement, with Rabat poised to make important contributions to this international dynamic. The former Spanish foreign minister also mentioned growing support for Morocco's autonomy initiative to resolve the Sahara dispute, as evidenced by backing from numerous countries across different continents, including Spain. World Cup to boost GDP Shifting to the business perspective, Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM) President Chakib Alj asserted that the projects and expected benefits from co-hosting would position Morocco as a key driver for the entire region. He urged the Moroccan private sector to fully seize opportunities in tourism, transport, and digital sectors. In the financial sector, Mohamed El Kettani, CEO of Attijariwafa Bank, declared that the Moroccan banking sector plays a central role in national economic advancement by mobilizing long-term financing for structural infrastructure projects and actively supporting economic modernization through public-private partnerships. At the government level, Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch characterized the tournament as more than a sporting event, calling it a 'strategic transformation accelerator' that consolidates Morocco's ongoing development. 'It's an opportunity to realize, at all levels, the Royal Will to consolidate the foundations of a dynamic, inclusive and sovereign Morocco,' Akhannouch stated in a video address. The scope of investment is substantial, with plans approaching MAD 500 billion ($50 billion), according to Mohammed Haitami, CEO of Le Matin Group, which organized the forum. Based on FIFA projections and macroeconomic analyses cited by Morocco's Ambassador to the United States Youssef Amrani, the World Cup could generate a direct and indirect impact equivalent to 4% of Morocco's GDP through investment, employment, tourism, and global image enhancement. The MTF 2025, themed 'Vision of a King – Morocco 2030: Consolidating the Foundations of a Great Nation,' brought together national and international decision-makers, researchers, and key figures from sports, economic, digital, and media sectors.
