Minister of Tourism, Air Transport, Handicrafts and Social Economy Mohamed Sajid and Chinese Vice Minister of Culture and Tourism Lo Jinzao recently presided, in Rabat, over a signing ceremony of a bilateral agreement on the organization of a cultural and tourist year of Morocco in China and another similar event about China in Morocco, in 2020. According to a statement from the ministry, the ceremony was marked by the presence of Minister of Culture and Communication Mohamed Laaraj, Secretary of State for Tourism Lamia Boutaleb, professionals in the sectors of tourism and air transport as well as members of the Chinese delegation accompanying Jinzao, on a visit to the Kingdom. During the ceremony, Sajid stressed that these projects are likely to strengthen and consolidate the special relations between Morocco and China, welcoming efforts made by the two countries for the development of bilateral relations and the promotion of tourism and culture. Hailing a qualitative leap in the Chinese arrivals in Morocco, following visa exemption, the minister noted that their number rose from 10,000 tourists in 2015 to about 200,000 at the end of this year. For his part, Laaraj praised the common cultural and heritage characteristics of Morocco and China, expressing the determination of both parties to intensify efforts and be more open to the cultural product of both countries.
