Latest news with #Morocco-China
Ya Biladi
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Ya Biladi
Tangier hosts China's hit TV show «Chinese Restaurant», a culinary fusion of cultures
Tangier is hosting an exclusive season of Chinese Restaurant, Asia's top TV show with billions of views. From May 20 to June 9, La Terraza de la Médina will welcome the show's celebrity cast for a 21-day culinary adventure, blending Moroccan and Chinese gastronomy against the backdrop of Tangier's medina and the Strait of Gibraltar, reads a press release. The show, produced by Hunan TV, is famous for turning each location into a cultural icon: Colmar, France, saw a 70% tourism boost after hosting the show. Tangier's season aims to introduce Morocco's rich culinary heritage—tajines, couscous, and pastillas—to Chinese audiences. Key figures include Dina Ottmani, a Moroccan singer and influencer who lived in China for 13 years, and Chef Lin Shuwei, a star of Chinese gastronomy. They are joined by a stellar lineup: Huang Xiaoming (60M followers), Shen Yue, Zhai Xiaowen (11M fans), Ding Yuxi, Jiang Yan, and Patrick Nattawat. Rif Film Morocco is the local partner, handling logistics and coordination. Filming in Tangier is expected to boost tourism, showcase Moroccan culture, and strengthen Morocco-China ties. Chinese Restaurant has previously filmed in Ko Chang, Colmar, Taormina, and Giverny. The Tangier season promises to be a unique blend of gastronomy, cultural diplomacy, and global exposure.
Morocco World
10-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Strengthens Role as Africa Gateway in New Chinese Investment Push
Rabat – Moroccan and Chinese companies signed two significant partnership agreements on Friday in Rabat during a meeting between Morocco's Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour, and a Chinese delegation led by Ye Jianchun, Governor of Jiangxi Province. The first agreement, signed by Morocco's Cooper Pharma and China's Jemincare Pharmaceutical Group, aims to develop innovative therapeutic solutions, enhance industrial capabilities, and promote technology exchange. The initiative supports Morocco's strategy to boost local pharmaceutical production and strengthen national health sovereignty. The second partnership involves Bank of Africa and Jiangxi Geo-engineering Investment Group. The agreement reflects China's growing interest in the Moroccan market and highlights a shared ambition to position the kingdom as a strategic gateway for investment across Africa. Speaking to the press, Mezzour underlined the rapid progress in Moroccan-Chinese economic relations, emphasizing that these partnerships align with Morocco's broader vision to attract Chinese investments and promote sustainable development across Africa. He also stressed that the deals are consistent with King Mohammed VI's directives, particularly those encouraging African solidarity and national health security through local manufacturing of medicines and active pharmaceutical ingredients. Both Mezzour and Jianchun praised the robust momentum of the Morocco-China economic partnership, citing its expanding scope, the launch of multi-sectoral projects, and the increasing presence of Chinese industrial groups in Morocco, especially in sectors like manufacturing and infrastructure. The visiting Chinese delegation, which includes government officials and industrial leaders, is in Morocco to explore opportunities for deeper collaboration, focusing on joint projects, investment promotion, and knowledge sharing in the industrial sector. Morocco and China are expanding their cooperation across various sectors, including tourism, as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral ties. In a significant step, the Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT) has begun the process to obtain the prestigious 'China Ready' certification, positioning Morocco to become the first destination in North Africa to receive this label. The initiative is part of Morocco's broader strategy to tap into high-potential tourism markets and attract more Chinese travelers by adapting services and experiences to their expectations. Tags: Morocco Chinamorocco china cooperationMorocco economy
Morocco World
28-04-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Guest of Honor at China-Arab Business Conference
Rabat — Organizers have designated Morocco as the guest of honor at the high-profile gathering of the 11th China-Arab Business Conference, which kicked off today in Haikou, China. The two-day event is set to bring together over 1,000 participants, including Chinese economic operators and Moroccan entrepreneurs established in China. Organizers structured the conference around four key areas: energy transition, scientific innovation, cultural and tourism synergies, and financial cooperation. Ambassador to China Abdelkader El Ansari, representing King Mohammed VI, heads the Moroccan delegation. The team includes key players from Morocco's business landscape, with representatives from the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM), the Moroccan National Tourism Office (ONMT), and major financial institutions, Bank of Africa and Attijariwafa Bank. Morocco is displaying its assets with a national pavilion on the Haikou International Conference and Exhibition Center floor. Visitors can learn about the North African country's investment potential, tourist destinations, and cultural heritage through compelling visual and written materials. During a dedicated session, attendees will also explore investment prospects in the Hainan Free Port. After concluding remarks, participants will tour economic zones across Hainan province, including visits to the Wenchang Space Launch Center and the Yangpu Economic Development Zone. This collaboration represents the joint efforts of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), Hainan provincial authorities, the League of Arab States Secretariat, and the General Union of Arab Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture. Read also: AMDIE to Organize Roadshow to Promote Morocco-China Investments Since its founding in 2005, the Business Conference has evolved into a crucial platform connecting Chinese and Arab economic interests. Morocco, China growing relations The two countries have fortified their collaboration in various fields, including renewable energy, infrastructure development, and cultural exchange. Both parties have always shown an intention to boost their bilateral relations. During his short but significant visit to Morocco in November of last year, the Chinese President Xi Jinping said that his country is ready to strengthen its partnership with Morocco, reflecting the significance of bilateral ties between the two countries. Meanwhile, Morocco's Ambassador to China spoke earlier this year about the developing collaboration between Morocco and China. Referring to the launch of two direct connecting flights as a move that reflects their shared commitment to enhancing bilateral ties, the ambassador said that 2025 is a promising year that will mark a significant step forward in their cooperation. China's Belt and Road Initiative has opened avenues for joint projects in infrastructure, technology, and trade, strengthening Morocco's role as a gateway to Africa.
Morocco World
14-02-2025
- Automotive
- Morocco World
Ambassador: Morocco Becoming Strategic Hub for Chinese Investment
Doha – Morocco's Ambassador to China, Abdelkader El Ansari, has detailed the country's expanding role as a strategic hub for Chinese investors seeking access to European, American, and African markets, particularly in the flourishing electric vehicle (EV) sector. In a wide-ranging interview with Chinese economic daily Caixin, El Ansari accentuated Morocco's integrated industrial ecosystem and modern infrastructure. 'Morocco possesses an integrated industrial ecosystem that facilitates the installation of new companies,' he emphasized, highlighting the country's strategic advantages for foreign investment. El Ansari spotlighted the Tanger Med port's capabilities, asserting that 'vehicles produced locally can reach Europe in less than a day, the United States in a week, and several African countries in just a few days.' The ambassador outlined Morocco's development trajectory, declaring: 'In 20 to 25 years, Morocco has built an environment conducive to investment through tax incentives, modern infrastructure, and trade openness.' He pointed out the kingdom's 56 free trade agreements with various countries and regions, facilitating access to international markets. Addressing the automotive sector's growth, El Ansari revealed that 'more than 250 international companies are integrated into Morocco's automotive supply chain, bringing annual production to nearly 900,000 vehicles, of which 85% are exported to 75 countries. This dynamic places Morocco as the leading producer of passenger cars in Africa.' Recent Chinese investments in Morocco's EV sector have been substantial. According to El Ansari, major Chinese companies including Yahua Group, Huayou Cobalt, and Gotion High-Tech announced factory projects between 2023 and 2024, representing a cumulative investment of over 33 billion yuan (approximately $4.6 billion). Chinese presidential visit and EV industry development The strengthening Morocco-China relationship was further crystallized by Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Morocco in November 2024. Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan welcomed President Xi at Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca, where the Chinese leader participated in traditional welcome ceremonies and convened with key officials including Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch. The visit lined up perfectly with some game-changing moves in Morocco's EV scene. Gotion High-Tech committed $1.3 billion to construct Africa's first EV battery 'gigafactory' near Rabat, while BTR New Material Group and Shinzoom invested $300 million and $690 million respectively in battery component manufacturing. Experts cited in a South China Morning Post report illuminated Morocco's strategic advantages. David Shinn from George Washington University and François Conradie from Oxford Economics Africa cataloged key factors driving Chinese investment. They pinpointed Morocco's proximity to European markets, reserves of key battery materials like lithium and phosphate, and green energy production capabilities as major attractions for investors. However, Chatham House Associate Fellow Ahmed Aboudouh cautioned that 'Morocco's role as a workaround for Chinese EV companies may put it at the heart of great-power competition.' This comes as the EU has approved tariffs of up to 35.3% on Chinese EV imports, while the US has increased tariffs from 25% to 100%. The bilateral relationship continues to flourish, with El Ansari noting that trade exchanges between the two nations surged by 13.9% in 2023, while Chinese direct investments in Morocco advanced by 20.2%. He also heralded the resumption of direct Beijing-Casablanca flights in January, reducing travel time to less than 14 hours, which he anticipates will further catalyze Sino-Moroccan economic and human exchanges.
