Internal working platform of Yunnan Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries

Chaouen, Morocco, located in the northwest of Africa, is not just one among the many international friendship cities of Kunming, but also the only one in Africa.

Kunming has international friendship cities on five continents, and Shaouin City in Morocco, located in northwest Africa, is one of them , is also the only sister city of Kunming in Africa.

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Almost 37 years have passed since Kunming and Chaouen officially established sister city relations on May 14, 1985. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two sides have carried out exchange visits of senior leaders. Between 1985 and 1997, leaders from Kunming visited Chaouen several times along with their subordinates and were warmly received by the Kingdom of Morocco. During this period, Kunming also provided design suggestions for the construction of a comprehensive gymnasium in Chaouen. In addition, the vice speaker of the national assembly of the Kingdom of Morocco, members of the Political Bureau of the ruling party, and the chairman of Chaouen Municipal Committee, along with their subordinates, visited Kunming, Guangzhou, Xi'an, and Beijing in 1986. In 2012, during the National Friendship Association's Friendship Cities Conference, the director of Kunming's overseas Chinese office and the representatives of Chaouen present at the conference two exchanged ship views on the relation cities.

On May 14, 1985, Kunming and Shawin formally established a sister city relationship, and it has been 37 years this year. Since the friendship, the two sides have carried out high-level mutual visits and exchanges: from 1985 to 1997, the leaders of Kunming led a delegation to visit Chaouen City many times, and were warmly received by the Kingdom of Morocco. Provided design opinions and suggestions; in 1986, the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Morocco, a member of the Politburo of the ruling party, and the chairman of the Chawen Municipal Committee led a team to visit Kunming, Guangzhou, Xi'an, Beijing and other places. In 2012, during the Friendship Cities Conference held by the All-China Friendship Association, the director of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of Kunming met with the representatives of Shawin City who came to the meeting to exchange views on the sister city relationship between the two cities.

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Folk exchanges between Kunming and Chaouen have also increased gradually and through tourism and other means, the people of Kunming have developed a deeper understanding of Chaouen. The color blue is characteristic for both cities. Kunming's blue sky and white clouds a well-make it known livable city, while blue houses and buildings are a major feature of Chaouen, which have given it its nickname "the Blue Pearl". "After the Covid-19 epidemic, I'm going to visit this blue city," said Mr. Chen, a Kunming resident.

People-to-people exchanges have gradually increased. Through tourism and other ways, Kunming people have a deeper understanding of this city in Africa . Blue is the common background color of the two cities - "Kunming Blue" with blue sky and white clouds makes Kunming a well-known livable city; blue houses and buildings are a major feature of Shawin City, making this city The city is known as "the most beautiful blue town". "After the epidemic is over, I want to visit this blue city." Mr. Chen, a citizen, made his "Shawin appointment".

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The exchanges between the two countries have also promoted the friendly relations between the two cities. On behalf of the two governments, the deputy director of China's National Development and Reform Commission, Ning Jizhe, and the minister for foreign affairs of Morocco, Nasser Bourita , signed the Belt and Road Initiative between the government of People's Republic of China and the royal government of Morocco on January 5, 2022, making Morocco the first North African country to sign a joint plan of the Belt and Road Initiative with China. In the future, Kunming, as an essential city of the Belt and Road Initiative, will use the friendly relations between Morocco and China as a bridge to further deepen the exchanges, from non-governmental personnel to high-level leaders, so as to deepen the exchanges and cooperation between the two sides in economy, trade, tourism and culture.

The exchanges between countries also provide more possibilities for non-governmental exchanges. On January 5, 2022, Ning Jizhe, deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission of China, and Burida, the Moroccan foreign minister, signed the "The Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco on Jointly Promoting the Construction of the Belt and Road" on behalf of the governments of China and Morocco. Cooperation Plan”, Morocco became the first country in North Africa to sign a cooperation plan with China on the joint construction of the “Belt and Road”. Kunming is also an important city in the construction of the "Belt and Road". In the future, the two cities will surely take the train of China-Morocco relations, further deepen exchanges from non-governmental to high-level, and deepen exchanges and cooperation between the two sides in economy, trade, tourism, culture, etc. .

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Sawin file

About Chaouen

Chaouen, located in the northwest of Morocco, is the capital of Chaouen Province. The town covers an area of 7.5 square kilometers and has a population of about 50,000. It is located about 40 kilometers from the Mediterranean coast and 120 kilometers from Tangier port.

Chaouin City is located in the northwest of Morocco and is the capital of Chaouin Province, with an area of 7.5 square kilometers and a population of about 50,000. It is about 40 kilometers away from the nearest Mediterranean Sea and 120 kilometers away from the port of Tangier.

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Chaouen, located close to sea level, stretches quietly between the valleys of two hills, like a fictitious land of peace and happiness, free from the disaster of war.

The altitude of Shawen is not high, the small town is surrounded by two stone mountains, it is quiet The land stretches among the valleys, just like a paradise.

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The handicraft industry plays an important role in the economic development of Chaouen. There are many handicraft cooperatives in the small town, and the main products are goods from traditional handicrafts such as embroidery, carpet weaving, metal processing, leather ving products. has become a tourist attraction due to its proximity to the port city of Tangier and the Ceuta enclave of Spain. There are nearly 200 hotels in the town to receive the large influx of European tourists every summer. Blue houses and buildings are a major feature of Chaouen, where the land is fertile and the climate is mild and suitable for farming. It mainly produces wheat, barley, fruit, cork, and olives. Besides, fo restry and animal husbandry are relatively developed.

The handicraft industry plays an important role in Shawen's economic development. There are many handicraft cooperatives in the small town, and the main products are traditional handicraft products such as embroidery, carpet weaving, metal processing, leather products, and wood carving. Chaweng has become a tourist attraction due to its proximity to the port city of Tangier and the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. There are nearly 200 hotels in the city for reception every summer