Morocco-China: A Cultural Partnership Focused on Ibn Battuta Signed at the SIEL in Rabat
Memorandum of Understanding Signed in Rabat to Enhance Cultural Cooperation
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed in Rabat to strengthen cultural cooperation between the Exhibition Space dedicated to the memory of Ibn Battouta in Tangier and the Maritime Transportation History Museum in Quanzhou, China. This agreement was concluded on the sidelines of the International Book and Publishing Fair (SIEL).
An Agreement to Enhance the Heritage of Ibn Battouta
Signed by Mohamed Ouanaya, CEO of SAPT, and Lin Han, director of the Chinese museum, this partnership aims to promote research, study, and dissemination of the lessons learned from the journeys of Ibn Battouta, as well as from the Silk Road.
A Bridge Between Two Civilizations
The agreement aspires to enhance dialogue between Moroccan and Chinese cultures by promoting:
- International academic exchanges,
- Cultural collaborations,
- Joint initiatives in the area of heritage.
According to Lin Han, this partnership falls within a framework of sustainable cooperation and rapprochement between the two countries.
Strengthened Academic and Cultural Exchanges
The MoU specifically outlines:
- The organization of academic exchanges,
- Participation in international events such as the China-Arab Arts Festival,
- Development of common research projects.
The goal is to deepen the understanding of the historical and cultural heritage related to the Silk Road.
Two Institutions Serving Historical Memory
The Ibn Battouta Exhibition Space in Tangier, inaugurated in 2022, chronicles the 29 years of travel of the famous 14th-century Moroccan explorer. Meanwhile, the Quanzhou museum sheds light on maritime exchanges between China and the Arab world, particularly through Ibn Battouta’s arrival at this historic port.
SIEL: A Platform for International Cultural Dialogue
Held in Rabat under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the SIEL this year brings together 891 exhibitors from 60 countries, confirming its role as an international platform for cultural and intellectual dialogue.
This partnership between Morocco and China illustrates a shared commitment to valorize their shared historical heritage and to strengthen cultural exchanges, drawing on the universal legacy of Ibn Battouta and the richness of the Silk Road.
