Competition Concludes but Friendship Begins: China-Africa Youth’s Cultural Gathering in Morocco

The 2026 Belt & Road and BRICS Competition of Skills Development and Technology Innovation (North Africa) International Final concluded successfully in Morocco on April 24. The competition brought together over 200 outstanding participants from multiple countries, including China, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and other countries, which showcased their talents and engaged in friendly exchanges through competition. During the competition, participating teams took part in the Perceiving North African Cultural Activities, where young people both from China and Africa jointed together to share and strengthen their friendship.

From April 22 to 23, the team was invited to visit the CMC Public Training Base of the Office of Vocational Training and Employment Promotion (OFPPT) in Morocco for a dedicated exchange program, and also participated in a cultural exchange event jointly organized by OFPPT and Hassan I University. Hassan II University meticulously arranged over ten exhibition zones featuring distinctive Chinese and African cultural elements, including Chinese calligraphy, traditional tea ceremony, Moroccan henna painting, Sino-Arab language interaction, and fun cultural games. Participants wandered through the zones for an immersive experience, personally feeling the charm of traditional crafts, and engaging in friendly exchanges at their leisure. Through the integration elegant brush art, refined tea culture and exotic cultural atmosphere, they gained a firsthand appreciation of the unique heritage of diverse cultures. The exhibition served as a bridge for communication, while culture helped to forge a common understanding among young people. The format of non-distance, unrestricted exchanges not only brought closer the hearts of young people from China and Africa, but also sowed the seeds of friendship for future, deeper educational cooperation.

Meanwhile, upon the special invitation of the Governor of the Casablanca-Settat Region, the participating teams visited the Habous District, touring the iconic Pasha Court and the Hassan II Mosque. They viewed up the architectural culture that blends traditional Moroccan craftsmanship with classic geometric aesthetics, getting to know the local customs and traditions.

The cultural exchange activities held after this year’s North African International Competition have endowed the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges with profound significance. In the future, SNAEIA will continue to expand the track of the Sino-North African Skills Development and Technological Innovation Competition, thus contributing to the high-quality development of vocational education cooperation between China and North Africa.