China is seeking to provide Morocco with technical assistance to construct a high-speed train connecting Casablanca and Agadir, said Chinese Ambassador to Morocco, Li Changlin.
He told Hespress in an interview that his country is seeking to support Morocco with expertise in the field of agricultural management -mainly in the construction of dams, water managment, and food security.
He said Morocco needs to “trust Chinese experience in order to work together so that Morocco secures its needs of wheat, grain and water.”
The Ambassador touched on multiple issues including the Moroccan students enrolled in Chinese Universities who have not been able to resume studies for the second year due to China-imposed Covid-19 restrictions.
“After my arrival in the Kingdom of Morocco, I personally worked on this issue, and it was among my priorities, and I know how worried Moroccan students are about their academic future and their families.”
He said Beijing sent instructions to ensure the return of Moroccan students to China in order to continue their studies, “but only some small details remain related to consular services and visa.”
“On the practical side, the Chinese Embassy will announce new procedures in the near future, and will also announce the start date of procedures related to going to China,” he said.
China has reopened its airlines with a number of countries, and Moroccan students who are going to move to China would have to transit through Paris, Dubai, or Madrid.
Advancing Belt and Road initiative
The Ambassador said that since Morocco joined the Belt and Road initiative, a number of projects have taken shape, including City Dicastal, a Chinese industrial unit in Kenitra with a total investment of 600 million dollars, and an annual production rate of 60 million pieces aluminum auto parts, which are exported to Europe and the US.
Another ongoing project is the Tangier Tech industrial city, ” a pioneering project that reflects the strategic relations between the two countries and goes in the direction of implementing the results of the initiative.”
“Morocco received a number of Chinese officials and businessmen in order to search for investment opportunities in Morocco, in addition to companies working in strategic and vital areas such as the production of batteries and electric chargers.”
“Chinese enterprises regard Morocco as an important country, which has strong qualifications to encourage investment; such as its geographical proximity to Europe, and as the gateway to Africa. Morocco has a qualified workforce and an encouraging climate, and China will make Morocco a meeting point between the three continents and the Arab world.”
On territorial integrity
The Ambassador said his country “acknowledges and appreciates” the Moroccan support of Chinese territorial integrity. “Together we look towards the future and will work to support the Kingdom in all stages. Morocco is among the 170 countries that have supported the unity of China and Taiwan.”
On the Sahara issue, the Ambassador said that his country is in favor of a permanent political solution that satisfies all parties involved in the conflict.
“It has been nearly a year and four months since I came to Morocco, and every day I read in the newspapers and hear on the radio about the issue of the Sahara, I know that the Sahara file is the main file for Moroccans and the number one issue in Morocco.”
“At the United Nations level, we try to contribute to building a political solution to the file, and we support the return of the political process to this file.”
Stronger partnership
The Ambassador said that despite Morocco’s inclination to prioritize its traditional western partners, China is trying to diversify its partnerships with Rabat.
“There are a number of things that can be done with Moroccan friends.”
“But with the rise of China, we are extending our hands to help Morocco, especially in the field of infrastructure, especially the construction of the second TGV line.”
Morocco was the first African country to join the Belt and Road initiative back in 2017.
In early Januaryto con 2020, China and Morocco signed another convention on the Joint Implementation Plan of the Belt and Road initiative that seeks to create joint ventures in the energy industry and grant funds for large development projects in the North African country.
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