1st Ld-Writethru: China, Morocco establish strategic partnership

Chinese President Xi Jinping and King Mohammed VI of Morocco signed a joint statement on establishing a strategic partnership between the two countries.

They signed the statement after talks at the Great Hall of the People, Beijing.

The strategic partnership will be a milestone for the development of the bilateral ties and bring new opportunities for bilateral cooperation in all areas, Xi said.

He added that China always attaches high importance to relations with Morocco, and will steadily support its efforts to maintain national stability and promote social and economic development. China also appreciates Morocco's adherence to the one-China policy and its support on major issues concerning China's core interests.

According to the joint statement, the two sides will increase exchanges between heads of state, government leaders and officials, strengthen communication and coordination on strategic issues, enhance cooperation and exchanges between legislative bodies and political parties.

The two sides reaffirmed the principle of respecting all countries' sovereignty and territorial integrity, and vowed to support all sides' efforts to maintain peace and stability of the regions they belong to.

The two sides called for peaceful solutions to international and regional crises and disputes; opposed interference in other's internal affairs, use of force or threat by force; and condemned terrorism in all forms.

The two sides will implement the cooperation consensus reached under the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

Xi said China welcomed Morocco's continued participation in China-Arab states cooperation and China-Africa cooperation, which will bring broad prospect for the development of the China-Morocco relations.

With regard to bilateral cooperation, the joint statement said the two countries will deepen cooperation in areas including petroleum, mining industry, agriculture, environmental protection, ocean fisheries, infrastructure construction and digital communication, expand cooperation in renewable energy, and develop partnership in industry, metallurgy and electronics.

Xi said China is willing to participate in Morocco's industrial revitalization and encourage companies to join in local infrastructure projects.

China is willing to strengthen military exchanges, tourism and educational cooperation with Morocco, and hopes a Chinese cultural center could be built up there as early as possible, Xi said.

The president said China is ready to strengthen bilateral coordination and cooperation on international affairs such as climate change, to maintain the common interests of the two countries and other developing countries.

King Mohammed VI spoke positively of the traditional friendship between the two countries and thanked China for long-term assistance.

He echoed Xi saying the strategic partnership will inject new vitality into the two countries' relations. Morocco is willing to join with China to expand trade and infrastructure cooperation, and strengthen coordination on development issues and climate change.

Morocco is willing to be an important cooperative partner of China in Africa and among the Arab states, the king said.

After the hour-long talks, the two sides signed several cooperation agreements in areas including judiciary, trade, energy, mining, finance, culture and food security.

King Mohammed VI started his state visit from Wednesday at Xi's invitation. Endi