On April 24, 2006, immediately after arriving in Rabat to kick off his state visit to Morocco, Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks with Moroccan King Mohammed VI. Both sides indicated that bilateral relations have entered a new development stage and the two countries will make joint efforts to push for in-depth development of their friendly cooperation in all areas.

Hu first thanked for the warm welcome of the Moroccan government and people. He pointed out that China attaches great importance to developing bilateral relations. Despite the distance keeping both countries apart, the friendship between their people goes back to ancient times. In their fight for national independence and emancipation in modern times, both peoples showed sympathy and support for each other. Morocco is one of the first African countries to establish diplomatic ties with the New China. Since their establishment 48 years ago, bilateral relations have been developing soundly and smoothly and both sides have maintained frequent exchanges with mutual political trust continuously strengthened. They have witnessed rapid development of economic and trade cooperation and kept close cooperation on major international and regional issues. China appreciates Morocco for always adhering to the one-China policy and supporting China's grand cause of reunification.

Hu said that currently, both countries have entered an important period for their reform and opening up and bilateral cooperation has entered a new development stage. In order to push for continuous and in-depth progress of friendly cooperation in various areas, China would like to make joint efforts with Morocco in the following three aspects. First, to keep on maintaining high-level exchanges, expand contact between governments, parliaments and parties of the two countries, strengthen consultations and cooperation in international and regional affairs and comprehensively advance bilateral friendly cooperation. Second, to take measures to expand trade scale, enlarge cooperation area, focus on cooperation in the areas of science & technology, communications, agriculture, oil and gas resources exploitation, labor contract and human resources training and encourage mutual investment between their businesses. Third, to further advance cooperation in the fields of education, culture, health and tourism. Both sides should hold more activities of week of culture, arts festivals and exhibitions, accelerate implementation of the agreement on bilateral tourist cooperation and actively push for exchanges between their local and non-governmental organizations.

Mohammed VI warmly welcomed Hu's visit, indicating that it will surely inject new vitality into development of bilateral relations. He thanked for China's assistance and support for a long period of time and made highly positive comments on China's enormous achievements in the process of economic and social development. Mohammed VI agreed with Hu's suggestions on further developing bilateral ties and emphasized that Morocco would like to deepen exchanges and cooperation with China in the areas of fishery, tourism, culture and infrastructure construction

Both sides exchanged views on bilateral relations and other international and regional issues of common interest, agreeing to enhance cooperation within the framework of China-Africa Cooperation Forum.

Following the talks, Hu and Mohammed VI attended the signing ceremony of the agreement on cooperation in the areas of economy & trade, science & technology, culture, health and tourism.

Prior to the talks, Hu attended the grand welcoming ceremony hosted by Mohammed VI.

On the evening of the same day, Hu attended the welcoming banquet held by Mohammed VI for his visit.