Ceuta and Melilla: How the Chinese Perspective Transforms a Moroccan Issue

Mcg24, Rabat

The crisis surrounding Ceuta and Melilla has evolved beyond mere border management or migration flows. From a Chinese perspective, these two enclaves emerge as not only a matter of sovereignty but also a chapter in Moroccan-Spanish relations, and more broadly, as a component of European balance.

Beijing Changes Its Vocabulary

In its official positions, China remains cautious. Beijing emphasizes the need to combat irregular immigration and to foster dialogue between the parties, without explicitly siding with either Morocco or Spain.

However, the terminology used in Chinese media is telling. Coverage from the Xinhua News Agency frames Ceuta and Melilla within the context of a sovereignty dispute between Rabat and Madrid.

This choice of words does not equate to a recognition of Moroccan sovereignty. Nonetheless, it situates the issue within a broader context than just border security.

An Issue Beyond Migration

For Rabat, this evolution of the international narrative is significant. Morocco has long viewed Ceuta and Melilla as Moroccan territories under Spanish occupation. From this viewpoint, security cooperation with Madrid, particularly concerning migration, cannot overshadow the historical question of sovereignty.

It is precisely this distinction that is pivotal: cooperating on border issues does not imply relinquishing a territorial claim.

What Beijing Observes

China is also attentive to the European ramifications of this matter: cohesion within the European Union, border control, migration policy, and the relationship between Madrid, Brussels, and Washington.

Thus, Beijing has little incentive to directly engage in the Moroccan-Spanish dispute. Its approach is more about observing the balance of power and maintaining its diplomatic leeway. This caution aligns with China’s position on various territorial disputes: to refrain from involvement unless its direct interests necessitate it.

For Rabat, Narrative Matters as Much as Diplomacy

The goal for Morocco is not to elicit a dramatic statement from Beijing regarding Ceuta and Melilla. Such a position does not exist today.

The focus lies elsewhere: gradually shifting the narrative away from a solely European interpretation of "Spanish cities facing migration pressure" to frame the issue as a historic sovereignty dispute between Morocco and Spain.

It is in this context that the Chinese perspective holds potential interest for Rabat.

A Long-term Battle

Currently, Morocco and Spain maintain close cooperation on various strategic matters. This relationship does not prevent Rabat from upholding its stance on Ceuta and Melilla.

The Moroccan strategy rests on a coexistence of bilateral cooperation while preserving its territorial claim, avoiding hasty confrontation.

China, for its part, observes this development with pragmatism. Beijing does not officially support the Moroccan claim, but its handling of the issue serves to remind that beyond migration and security, Ceuta and Melilla remain a question of sovereignty. For Rabat, it is precisely this historical dimension that must be kept alive in the international debate.