Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has announced that imports from 53 African countries with which China maintains diplomatic relations will now enjoy zero-tariff treatment, a move expected to strengthen trade between China and the continent.
Speaking on Sunday at a press conference during the annual session of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Yi highlighted that the policy is part of China’s commitment to high-standard economic openness.
The zero-tariff scheme, announced last year under the Changsha Declaration, aims to deepen economic cooperation within the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) framework and facilitate the export of quality African products to the Chinese market.
Yi said, “Removing tariffs completely will boost trade, multiply benefits for the people, and help Africa access the enormous opportunities of the Chinese market.”
He further emphasized that President Xi Jinping values China’s bond with Africa and prioritizes good faith and shared interests in dealings with the continent. Yi added that the approach has elevated China-Africa cooperation to new levels and urged the global community to embrace genuine multilateralism, stressing that “China’s heart is with the Global South.”
