MOROCCO'S KING AND CROWN PRINCE RECEIVE CHINESE PRESIDENT IN CASABLANCA

CASABLANCA, Nov 22 (Bernama-MAP) -- Morocco's King Mohammed VI and Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan received President Xi Jinping of China on Thursday evening in Casablanca during his short visit to the Kingdom.

According to the Maghreb Arabe Press (MAP), upon his descent from the plane at the Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca, the Chinese Head of State was welcomed by Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan.

Subsequently, Xi was greeted by the Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch, before reviewing a detachment of the Royal Guard who paid the honors.

Crown Prince and the Chinese President were then greeted by the Wali of the Casablanca-Settat region, Governor of the Casablanca Prefecture, Mohamed Mhidia, the President of the Casablanca-Settat Regional Council, Abdellatif Maâzouz, the Governor of the Province of Nouaceur, Jalal Benhayoun, the President of the Provincial Council of Nouaceur, Mohammed Salmani and the President of the Municipality of Nouaceur, Abdelaziz Radi.

The Crown Prince and Xi were also greeted by Li Changlin, China’s Ambassador to Morocco, Zhou Zhicheng, Minister Counselor at the Chinese Embassy, ​​Xia Kelin, Military Attaché at the Chinese Embassy, ​​and Zheng Wei, Economic and Commercial Counselor at the Chinese Embassy.

At the entrance to the airport's VIP lounge, the Chinese Head of State, who is accompanied by a delegation including Cai Qi, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau and Director General of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CPC), Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, and Hua Chunying, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, was invited to the traditional ceremony of milk and date offering.

After a brief break in the VIP lounge, the official procession headed to the Chinese President's residence in the economic capital of the Kingdom.

This visit reflects the strong bonds of friendship, cooperation, and solidarity between the Moroccan and Chinese peoples, thanks to the shared commitment of King Mohammed VI and President Xi Jinping to advancing the Sino-Moroccan strategic partnership, sealed during the Sovereign's landmark visit to China in May 2016.

-- BERNAMA-MAP