China, Morocco Issue Joint Press Communique

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Sunday, February 10, 2002

China, Morocco Issue Joint Press Communique

The People's Republic of China and Kingdom of Morocco in Beijing Saturday issued a joint press communique amidst Moroccan King Mohammed VI's state visit to China.

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The People's Republic of China and Kingdom of Morocco in Beijing Saturday issued a joint press communique amidst Moroccan King Mohammed VI's state visit to China.

The communique highly commends the talks between Chinese President Jiang Zemin and Moroccan King Mohammed VI, saying that the talks were held "in cordial and friendly atmosphere" and that the two sides reached consensus "on the direction and framework ofthe development of China-Morocco ties in the new century."

During the visit, King Mohammed VI also met with Chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee Li Peng, PremierZhu Rongji and Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee Li Ruihuan.

The two countries signed eight agreements on economic and technological cooperation, environmental protection, social development and employment, health, tourism and journalism.

After reviewing the visit paid by King Mohammed VI, the communique says that the two countries are very satisfied of the current level of friendly and cooperative ties.

The two sides believe that there lies great potential in terms of economic and trade cooperation on the basis of mutual benefits,and stress that the two countries will continue to support and encourage more contacts among relevant governmental departments and enterprises in an effort to explore new ways of expanding suchcooperation, according to the communique.

The document indicates that China and Morocco extensively shareviews on major international and regional issues and favorably comment the maintenance of cooperation and consultation in international affairs between the two countries.

In the course of globalization of the world economy, developingcountries should strengthen solidarity within the framework of multi-polarization and safeguard their own interests, it says.

Both sides express concern over the negative impact on developing countries brought by economic globalization, advocatingthat developed countries should make more efforts to safeguard theeconomic security of developing countries and help the latter raise the capability of development so as to gradually narrow the gap between the developed and the developing countries.

The two sides agree to the way of properly handling the difference in the domain of human rights in various countries, thecommunique says.

The two countries express the willingness to build a just and rational international political and economic new order and make concerted efforts along with other members of the international community for the advent of a new era of peace and development.

The two sides stress that the United Nations plays an importantrole in maintaining world peace and security. Meanwhile, the two countries consider that necessary reform should be carried out in the U.N. to meet the requirements of member nations for democratization in international relations, it says.

The communique says that both sides condemn all forms of terrorism and firmly support international anti-terrorist actions.Also, the two sides advocate that attention should be paid to the issue of development on the one hand and on the other hand effortsshould be made to rationally resolve various political conflicts so as to uproot terrorism from the soil it is born.

All anti-terrorist actions should comply with tenets of the U.N.Charter and universally recognized norms governing international relations and give full play to the leading role of U.N. and its Security Council, it says.

The two sides in the communique express worry over the escalation of tension in the Middle East. If the Mideast issue cannot be resolved comprehensively, permanently and justly, it will pose serious threat to regional stability and security and bring about adverse effect to world peace and development, it says.

China and Morocco call on all sides to resume negotiations as early as possible and urge the international community to shoulderthe responsibility of pushing forward the Mideast peace process.

Both China and Morocco in the communique stress the support of such process and will continue efforts for the peaceful, comprehensive, lasting and just solution to the Mideast issue in line with all U.N. resolutions, including U.N. Security Council Resolution 242 and Resolution 338 and the principle of "land-for-peace."

Both sides believe that the pursuit of peace, stability and development is the prime task of the African continent. The two sides also concern over the challenges that Africa face in the process of development, particularly the issues of debts and regional conflicts.

The two call on the international community to hold responsibility and help African countries safeguard their independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, realize development and prosperity, and promote security, stability and peace in the continent.

The two countries in the communique highly comment the Sino-African ties of friendly cooperation and the mechanism formed in China-Africa Cooperation Forum, and agree to developing mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Morocco and other Africancountries.

Both sides describe King Mohammed VI's China visit as a complete success and the visit will definitely push forward bilateral relations in the new century.

To maintain frequent dialogues and friendly feelings between the two countries, King Mohammed VI invited President Jiang to visit Morocco again. Jiang expressed thanks for the invitation, according to the communique.

Backgrounder: China and Morocco

Political Relations

China and Morocco established diplomatic relations on Nov.1958. Over the past 43 years the political relations between China and Morocco has 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 open 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.

Economic and Trade Relations and Economic and Technical Cooperation

The volume of trade between China and Morocco totaled 309.3 million US dollars in 1999 and 336 million US dollars in 2000.

The commodities that 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.

Exchanges and Cooperation in Public Health and Culture

China dispatched its first medical team to Morocco in Sept 1975. China-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.

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