RABAT, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi transmitted on Monday a "message of friendship and esteem" from Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting with Moroccan King Mohammed VI , the Royal office said in a release in Rabat.

Wang Yi underscored the Chinese president's will to give new impetus to the excellent ties existing between the two countries and reiterated the invitation extended by the Chinese president to Moroccan king to pay an official visit to Beijing, to craft a genuine strategic partnership as a new frame of cooperation, the release added.

King Mohamed welcomed the invitation and he voiced satisfaction at the important perspectives that the visit will open for relations between the two friendly countries."

He also stressed the particular relationships between Morocco and China and their constant evolution to better meet the two countries' specific needs.

The release said that Wang Yi "renewed his country's support and backing to Morocco's modernization and diversification effort and his country's appreciation for Morocco's leading role in the region."

"The Chinese FM also commended the Sovereign's action at the service of the developing world and of consolidating South-South cooperation" the release added.

Several international and regional issues were discussed during the meeting, such as the situation in the Maghreb, the Middle East and in sub-Saharan Africa, said the release.