Morocco-China Sports and Culture Carnival Successfully Held in Beijing to Deepen Practical Cooperation in Various Fields

The Morocco-China Sports and Culture Carnival was successfully concluded in Beijing from May 9 to 10, 2026. Hosted by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in China, and jointly supported by the Beijing Office of the Moroccan National Tourism Office and the Morocco-China Business Council (affiliated to the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises), the event serves as a core segment of the 2026 series of celebrations for China-Morocco friendship. It marks the 10th anniversary of King Mohammed VI of Morocco’s visit to China and the establishment of the China-Morocco Strategic Partnership in 2016. With sports as a bridge, culture as a medium and economy and trade as a link, the carnival aims to fully deepen practical cooperation between the two countries in culture, sports, tourism, economy and trade and other fields.

The event attracted more than 300 distinguished guests from the economic, cultural, academic and art circles of China and Morocco. Diplomatic envoys from Turkey, Spain and other countries in China, as well as representatives of the Moroccan diaspora in China, were invited to attend. It has built a high-quality platform for cultural exchanges and people-to-people bonds between China and Morocco, vividly demonstrated the richness and diversity of Moroccan culture, and effectively enhanced mutual understanding and traditional friendship between the two peoples.

Guest Speeches: Renewing China-Morocco Friendship and Drawing a New Blueprint for Cooperation

At the opening ceremony, H.E. Mr. Abdelkader EL ANSARI, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to China, delivered a speech. He stated that the traditional friendship between China and Morocco has a long history. Since the two countries established a strategic partnership in 2016, bilateral relations have maintained steady improvement and upgrading. The Sports and Culture Carnival is a vivid practice of China-Morocco friendship. It not only presents the unique charm of Moroccan culture, cuisine and handicrafts in an all-round way, but also fully highlights Morocco’s core advantages as a high-quality tourist destination and a promising land for investment. It will surely push China-Morocco cooperation in various fields to a new level. Morocco always attaches great importance to developing relations with China. Taking this event as an opportunity, Morocco is willing to continuously deepen all-round cooperation, promote the sound and steady development of the China-Morocco Strategic Partnership, and bring more tangible benefits to the two peoples.

Mr. Otman Mazouz, Chief Representative of the Moroccan National Tourism Office in China, introduced that this Morocco-China Sports and Culture Carnival is the first event of its kind held by Morocco in China. It comprehensively promotes Morocco’s cultural and tourism resources through diverse forms such as fashion shows, music performances and sports demonstrations. At present, there are five direct flights per week from Beijing to Casablanca, and a new weekly direct flight from Shanghai to Casablanca will be added later. Morocco will join hands with all parties to deepen cultural and tourism connectivity, develop high-quality tourist routes, facilitate travel for Chinese tourists and cooperation in the bilateral cultural and tourism industries, and sincerely invite Chinese tourists to experience the exotic charm of Morocco. 

Event Highlights: Integration of Sports and Culture, Linked Economy and Trade, and Full Display of Moroccan Charm

Centering on the three core goals of sports promotion, cultural exhibition and economic partnership, this carnival features rich and diverse content, realizing the in-depth integration of cultural exchanges and economic and trade cooperation.

Sports Competitions: Forging Closer People-to-People Friendship Through Sports

Friendly matches in football, basketball, badminton, aerobics and other events were held during the event. The participating teams were composed of Moroccan students studying in China, diplomats, entrepreneurs and Chinese athletes, who competed together and made friends through sports. Moroccan fitness coaches LEILA CHAKIR NACIRI and KANZA LYAKOUBY were invited to participate in the event, and offered exclusive fitness courses accompanied by distinctive Moroccan music. With sports as a carrier, they showed Moroccan customs and helped deepen China-Morocco sports and cultural exchanges.

Cultural Performances: Revitalized Intangible Cultural Heritage and Assembled Arts Conveying Moroccan Style

The debut of Moroccan traditional fashion show at the event became a highlight of the whole scene, marking the first concentrated presentation of Moroccan haute couture, traditional handicrafts and contemporary design in China. The Moroccan caftan craftsmanship was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity at the end of 2025. A number of well-known Moroccan designers presented their original works on the stage, taking the traditional caftan as the core, integrating local culture and modern design, and interpreting the exquisiteness and innovation of intangible cultural heritage craftsmanship:

• Designer Fouzia Naciri exhibited her brand FAN BY FOUZIA NACIRI. In an interview with reporters, she said that she integrated local cultural customs and modern design concepts into her designs, interpreted the elegant heritage of the caftan with innovative designs, and fully demonstrated the unique charm of Moroccan fashion.

• With more than 30 years of experience in the fashion industry, designer Wafaa FAHMI has been deeply engaged in the promotion of the caftan intangible cultural heritage, and presented haute couture works to show the charm of Moroccan fashion. She also hopes that people will love and accept Morocco’s native cultural heritage.

• Designer Salma DEBBAGH drew inspiration from the traditional embroidery of Fez to create the LALLA SALMA haute couture collection.

• Adhering to the concept of social responsibility and zero waste, the brand YAKATY launched the A Bridge Between Worlds collection, which integrates Moroccan caftan with Chinese tailoring and floral elements to pay tribute to the cultural integration of the Silk Road.

In the folk art performance session, Dar Kbira, a Moroccan traditional cultural heritage performance group, presented authentic folk shows, showing the intangible cultural heritage styles such as Marrakech “Dakka” and Rabat traditional art. Violinist and composer Youness EL KHAZAN took the stage to perform, integrating Moroccan Gnawa, Reggada, Andalusian traditional music with classical music, and promoting dialogue between civilizations through artistic innovation. In addition, Moroccan special gourmet dinners were staged one after another, conveying Morocco’s hospitality with a feast of taste and vision, which was widely praised by the guests on site. 

Economic and Trade Connectivity: Exporting Quality Products, Promoting Investment, and Consolidating the Foundation for Cooperation

A Moroccan specialty products exhibition was set up on site, focusing on displaying olive oil renowned in Europe, argan oil unique in the world, natural skin care and SPA black soap series, as well as Casablanca beer, fruit wine, edible argan oil, nut dip, natural honey and other original ecological high-quality products. Mr. He Yangjin, Vice President of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Morocco, and Mr. Amar, Vice Chairman of the Morocco-China Business Council, promoted the products on site, helping Morocco’s local quality products connect with the vast Chinese market.

At the simultaneous investment exchange meeting and enterprise matchmaking meeting, the organizer fully displayed Morocco’s natural scenery, sports facilities, key development projects and investment opportunities through thematic promotion and promotional videos. Mr. Amine, President of the Shanghai Branch of Moroccan African Bank, said that as a full-license pan-African bank in China, the bank relies on its African service network to provide cross-border finance, market consultation and one-stop services for Chinese enterprises’ trade and investment in Africa. With its advantages in location, policies and free trade agreements, Morocco can serve as a transit and logistics hub for Chinese enterprises to enter Africa. Relying on the Belt and Road Initiative, China-Morocco economic and trade cooperation enjoys broad prospects.

Praise from Diplomatic Envoys of Various Countries: Event Highlights China-Morocco Friendship and Promotes Cultural Exchanges

H.E. Mr. Selçuk Ünal, Ambassador of Turkey to China, stated at the scene that this event fully demonstrates the profound friendship between China and Morocco, displays the characteristic achievements of Morocco in economic, financial, tourism, culture and other fields in an all-round way, and shows Morocco’s open and inclusive social outlook and friendly characteristics.

H.E. Ms. Marta Betanzos Roig, Ambassador of Spain to China, pointed out in an interview with reporters that the event is rich in content and brilliant in highlights, fully showing the charm of Moroccan cuisine, fashion and culture. Morocco is full of enthusiasm, vitality and traditional heritage. This event has effectively enhanced bilateral friendship, and we look forward to deepening exchanges and cooperation in various fields with Morocco and China in the future.

The successful holding of the Morocco-China Sports and Culture Carnival is a warm testimony to the friendship between China and Morocco since the establishment of diplomatic relations. It has injected new impetus into all-round bilateral cooperation and laid a solid foundation for the high-quality development of the China-Morocco Strategic Partnership in the next decade.