The communiqué 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 of the 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, Premier Zhu 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 communiqué 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 such cooperation, according to the communiqué.

The document indicates that China and Morocco extensively share views 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, developing countries 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, advocating that developed countries should make more efforts to safeguard the economic 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, the communiqué 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 important role in maintaining world peace and security. Meanwhile, the two countries consider that necessary reform should be carried out in the UN to meet the requirements of member nations for democratization in international relations, it says.

The communiqué 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 efforts should 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 UN Charter and universally recognized norms governing international relations and give full play to the leading role of UN and its Security Council, it says.

The two sides in the communiqué 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 shoulder the responsibility of pushing forward the Mideast peace process.

Both China and Morocco in the communiqué 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 UN resolutions, including UN 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 communiqué 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 African countries.

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 communiqué.

(China Daily February 10, 2002)