国内英语新闻:China, Moroccan FMs hold talks on enhancing bilateral ties

RABAT, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, who is on a five-nation African tour, held talks Monday with his Moroccan counterpart Taieb Fassi Fihri on ways to upgrade relations between the two countries.

    The two spoke highly of the abundant achievements that have been made in bilateral cooperation in various fields, mainly in politics, economy and trade, culture and health, since the establishment of diplomatic ties 52 years ago, an official press release gained by Xinhua said.

    It said the two ministers agreed to continuously promote the upgrading of China-Morocco friendly ties by enhancing political mutual trust, deepening cooperation, expand people-to-people exchanges and strengthening coordination in international and regional issues.

    After the talks, the two top diplomats signed a China-Morocco joint communique on Morocco's recognition of China's market economy status.

    Yang is on his first official foreign visit of the year that includes five African nations, namely Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Algeria and Morocco, as well as Saudi Arabia.

    It has been China's tradition for 20 years that its foreign minister visits Africa in the beginning of the year.