With Morocco-China cooperation deepening, Morocco’s Ambassador to China, Abdelkader El Ansari, has announced that direct Casablanca-Beijing flights will resume in January, a move expected to boost tourism, trade, and business exchanges between the two nations, Morocco’s News Agency (MAP) reported.
In an interview with China Radio International (CRI), El Ansari said that both China and Morocco are focusing on Africa for future economic partnerships, international relations, and investment plans. “Africa is one of the fundamental pillars of Moroccan foreign policy,” he remarked. “Rabat and Beijing’s goals align toward greater involvement in policies dedicated to the development of the African continent.”
With Morocco planning to produce one million vehicles by 2025, El Ansari highlighted that China’s extensive expertise in the automotive sector could support Morocco’s ambitions, notably in hybrid and pure electric vehicles.
El Ansari also noted China’s interest in establishing a free trade agreement with the continent, in line with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) treaty. AfCFTA aims to accelerate intra-African trade, enhance Africa’s role in global trade, and strengthen Africa’s collective voice in trade negotiations to further Agenda 2063, Africa’s strategic development plan.
The Ambassador added that renewed Casablanca-Beijing direct flights will play a vital role in promoting tourism and strengthening trade, especially given Morocco’s 2016 visa exemption for Chinese tourists. Morocco’s economic hub, Casablanca, is expected to attract increased investor interest and expand trade between the two nations.