China Partnership Diplomacy with Morocco and the New Silk Road Strategy

ABSTRACT: In recent years, China has shown great interest in Morocco as a North African hub for its overall presence on the continent. The close partnership between the two countries has led to the strengthening of their ties politically, economically, and culturally. Morocco is quickly becoming an important partner since its strategic location has established it as a central constituent in China's engagement with the Middle East, Africa, and the Mediterranean regions–a core component of the Silk Road strategy. This study investigates China's partnership diplomacy with Morocco as an instrument for the realization of its Belt and Road Initiative. Several factors (policy coordination, connectivity, trade and investments, and people-to-people bonds) constitute the backdrop for the establishment of the China–Morocco strategic partnership. The article's main argument is that the Beijing strategic partnership framework with Morocco is based on the latter's geographically strategic position and shared or mutual complementary commercial interests, especially the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative.