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)