China is reportedly close to joining the growing list of countries recognizing Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara, Spanish media outlet Espiral 21 reported on Friday.
China’s President Xi Jinping reportedly expressed this intention during his stop in the Canary Islands, hinting at plans to open a consulate in Laayoune and invest in Morocco’s southern regions and the Canary Islands.
The report follows Xi Jinping’s brief visit to the Gando Air Base in Gran Canaria during a transit stop on his way to Latin America.
Sources suggest the Chinese government is considering a move similar to the United States 2020 decision under former President Donald Trump, which recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara and inaugurated a consulate in Laayoune.
Since 2020, Morocco has made significant progress in asserting its sovereignty over its southern territories, with countries such as the US, Spain, and France recognizing Morocco’s legitimate claim over the Sahara.