Morocco deepens ties with China
Morocco is deepening its ties with China, continuing its efforts to diversify their global partnerships, according to the Moroccan government-friendly North Africa Post, September 22nd.
Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita’s visit to China this September marked a significant step in Rabat’s mission to gain international support for its autonomy plan in the Sahara.
The autonomy plan, which has already been backed by countries such as the UK, the US, France, Ghana, and Kenya, refers to Morocco’s solution to the Western Sahara dispute, which has seen the country pitted against the Algeria-backed Polisario Front.
Currently, Morocco controls most of the Western Sahara and offers it autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty. The Polisario Front seeks full independence and is supported by Algeria, who believe in the right to self-determination for the Sahrawi people.
After receiving the UN’s personal envoy, Staffan de Mistura, Russian diplomacy formally described the Sahara conflict as a relic of colonialism and backed recent UN security resolutions, which describe the autonomy plan as a serious proposal and urge a political solution based on compromise.
A joint statement following Bourita’s visit to China stresses the principle of non-interference in domestic issues of sovereign states, as Morocco backs the one-China principle.
Media coverage noted that the language used in the meeting emphasised solidarity, mutual respect, and trust and singled out a shared intent to build an equal partnership.
China has traditionally maintained a cautious stance but recent developments, such as the exclusion of Polisario representatives from major Sino-African forums, and growing international analyses pointing to a recalibration of Beijing’s position in favour of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara suggest a shift in relations between the two countries.
The shift is driven by converging interests as Morocco offers China new investment opportunities with strategic access to European and West African markets. Morocco represents a reliable partner for Beijing whose African policy prioritises economic pragmatism and regional stability.
Rabat has said that any deepening of bilateral ties must acknowledge Morocco’s territorial integrity within an autonomy framework.
The North Africa Post, Maghrebi.org
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