At the invitation of Hassan II University of Casablanca and the Mohammed V University of Rabat, a delegation of China-Africa Institute (CAI), led by Vice President Zhou Yunfan visited Morocco for academic exchange from February 18 to 21, 2025. The delegation members included Tang Zhichao, Director of the Division of Political Studies, CAI; Professor Cai Yuezhou from the Institute of Quantitative & Technological Economics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS); Deng Yanting, Deputy Director of the Division of Security Studies, CAI; and Dr. Qi Qiangfei from the Division of Ethnic and Religious Studies, CAI. 

Participants at the 22^nd China Lecture, Rabat

The 22^nd China Lecture was held under the theme of “Deepen China-Africa Cooperation to Spearhead the Global South Modernization” on February 19 in Rabat. The lecture, jointly organized by the CAI and the Confucius Institute at Mohammed V University, drew representatives from universities, think tanks and media outlets in Morocco. Fathallah Oualalou, the former Moroccan Economy and Finance Minister; Mohamed Khalil, President of the Morocco-China Friendship Exchange Association; and Mourad Alami, a renowned Moroccan expert on Chinese studies delivered speeches, sharing insights on the achievements and significance of China-Africa and China-Morocco cooperation.

Speakers at the lecture (From left to right: Ambassador Li Changlin, Zhou Yunfan, Karima Yatribi)

China’s Ambassador to Morocco Li Changlin said at the lecture that China-Morocco cooperation provided strong support for strengthening the traditional friendship between China and Africa. Ambassador Li expressed his hope that this lecture would further promote people-to-people exchanges between the two peoples. In her speech, Zhou Yunfan briefed on the development history of the CAI and the China Lecture, and expected Chinese and Moroccan scholars to hold in-depth discussions on deepening China-Africa collaboration in building modernization.

Speakers at the lecture (1^st row from left to right: Tang Zhichao, Cai Yuezhou, Deng Yanting; 2^nd row from left to right: Fathallah Oualalou, Mohamed Khalil, Mourad Alami)

Tang Zhichao delivered a keynote speech. He outlined the historical development of friendly relationship between China and Africa. From both historical and contemporary perspectives, he analyzed the theoretical connotations and practical implications of China-Africa cooperation for spearheading the Global South. He also raised his expectations on how China and Africa will deepen high-quality cooperation at the global, regional, and bilateral levels, so as to contribute to Global South modernization. Cai Yuezhou stressed the critical role of China’s rapid development of digital economy in fostering high-quality economic growth. He highlighted the rapid development of information technology in bridging the digital divide, benefiting the people, and alleviating poverty. Drawing on China's experience and achievements in digital poverty reduction, Cai Yuezhou reflected on opportunities for China and Africa to work together in order to advance high-quality development of modernization via digital collaboration. In his speech, Deng Yanting examined the theoretical connotations and practical pathways of Chinese modernization, and the global significance of China-Africa collaboration in promoting Global South modernization.

Fathallah Oualalou started from an overview of China-Morocco relations, and elaborated on the traditional friendship between China and Africa and the need for deepening cooperation. Mohamed Khalil explored how China-Morocco cooperation serves as a pillar and catalyst for extensive China-Africa collaboration from a Moroccan perspective. With a focus on jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Mourad Alami outlined the significance of China-Africa friendship and the remarkable achievements of mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation between China and Africa.  

The lecture was covered by China’s Xinhua News Agency and Moroccan mainstream media outlets. Before the lecture commenced, the CAI delegation held a meeting with Professor Karima Yatribi, the foreign director of the Confucius Institute at Mohammed V University, and Professor Dai Xiaoqi, the Chinese director. The experts engaged in discussions on strengthening people-to-people exchanges and cooperation and other topics.

Round-table discussion at the Policy Center for the New South

On February 20, the delegation visited the Policy Center for the New South (PCNS) and held a round-table discussion with its senior fellow Mohammed Loulichki and other Moroccan scholars at the center. They covered topics such as China-Africa cooperation in peace and security, joint efforts to combat climate change, and mutual learning between Chinese and African civilizations. The delegation also visited the Université Mohammed VI Polytechnique, where Tang Zhichao delivered a lecture on China-Africa joining hand to address challenges in the 21st Century within the Global South Framework.

Tang Zhichao is delivering a lecture at the Université Mohammed VI Polytechnique

The delegation visited the Confucius Institute at University Hassan II of Casablanca, and held a meeting with Professor Fadma Ait Mous, the foreign director of the Confucius Institute, and the Chinese director Professor Zheng Qiong, to discuss  academic exchanges. The delegation also visited the Chinese Embassy in Morocco and met with the officials.