China, Morocco enhance economic cooperation under Belt and Road Initiative

The Moroccan government plans to strengthen its economic cooperation outside the framework of traditional partners and with international economic powers such as China.

In this regard, Rabat and Beijing signed on Wednesday the Joint Implementation Plan for economic projects, as part of China’s “Belt and Road” initiative aimed at boosting the economic presence of the Asian giant in several countries, including Morocco.

According to the Moroccan news agency, the agreement aims to enhance access to Chinese funding for major projects in Morocco and the Chinese government pledges to encourage major Chinese companies to sign or invest in the kingdom.

The agreement was signed by Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and Chinese Vice-President of the Development and Reform Commission Yang Jiechi during a teleconference. These include infrastructure, technology, energy and industry, he said, without giving details on the projects.

In 2017, Morocco joined the “Belt and Road” initiative launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013. It calls for building a land belt linking China, the world’s second-largest economic power, with Western Europe through Central Asia and Russia, as well as a sea route to reach Africa and Europe via the China Sea and the Indian Ocean.

China’s direct investment in Morocco has since increased to $380 million, and trade has increased by 50% ($6 billion last year), Moroccan and Chinese officials said Wednesday.

They also underlined the deepening of bilateral cooperation and political dialog, at a time when Rabat is seeking the support of its partners for its position on the Moroccan Sahara issue, which is disputed with the Algerian-backed Polisario Front.

China also maintains strong economic ties with Algeria dating back decades, as Beijing has contributed to Algerian infrastructure projects.

In mid-December, the Moroccan judiciary approved the extradition to China of Idrissi Ishan, a Chinese Uighur Muslim wanted for terrorist acts.

The Moroccan government has not yet implemented the extradition order, according to Ishan’s lawyer, who was arrested upon his arrival in the kingdom in July, while Moroccan and international human rights organizations are calling on Rabat not to extradite him.

Morocco also announced in July the launch of a project to manufacture the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine locally in partnership with the Chinese group that produces it, but it has not yet entered into force.