Visiting King Mohammed VI of Morocco said Wednesday that his country will exempt visa for Chinese tourists from June 1, the 21st Century Business Herald reported.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and King Mohammed VI of Morocco have signed a joint statement on establishing a strategic partnership between the two countries, agreeing to strengthen tourism cooperation and simplify visa procedures.

At present, about 15,000 Chinese people travel to Morocco annually. Moroccan Minister of Tourism Lahcen Haddad said he hopes the number can reach 100,000 by 2018.

So far, Chinese tourists can travel in the North African country in group through travel agencies and there are no direct airline services between the two countries.