China Eyes Agreements on Economic Partnership for Shared Development with African Countries

BEIJING, May 22 (Xinhua) -- China will continue to sign agreements on economic partnership for shared development with African countries and build institutional safeguards on economic cooperation to ensure the sustained and effective implementation of the zero-tariff treatment, foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Friday. Guo made the remarks at a regular press briefing when asked about the current implementation of China's zero-tariff treatment to 53 African countries that have diplomatic relations with China. China is the first major economy to voluntarily extend zero-tariff treatment to all African countries that have diplomatic ties with China, Guo said, adding that at midnight on May 1, 24 tonnes of South African apples became the first batch of imports to China under the zero-tariff policy. Since the implementation of the zero-tariff policy over 20 days ago, multiple shipments of goods from Africa have cleared customs at various ports and entered China smoothly, including avocados from Kenya, fresh citrus fruits from Egypt, gypsum from Morocco, bovine bone chips from Nigeria and wine and pharmaceutical raw materials from South Africa, according to the spokesperson. He said the zero-tariff treatment has not only enriched the supplies in the Chinese market and lowered the cost of trade between China and Africa, but it has also contributed substantially to the trust of African producers and sellers. Guo added that the zero-tariff policy is not a standalone tax arrangement, but part of a broader package of coordinated supporting measures. China has upgraded the 'green lanes' for import of African agricultural and food products to China, streamlined the quarantine clearance procedures and introduced facilitation measures such as tiered risk-based management. The ongoing collaboration between China and African nations is expected to foster deeper economic ties and mutual growth. The zero-tariff initiative is a significant step towards enhancing trade relations and ensuring that African products can reach the Chinese market more efficiently. This initiative not only benefits Chinese consumers by providing a wider variety of products but also supports African economies by opening new markets for their goods. In conclusion, China's commitment to economic partnerships with African countries reflects its strategic vision for shared development. By implementing zero-tariff policies and enhancing trade facilitation, China aims to build a robust framework for economic cooperation that will benefit both sides in the long run. The success of this initiative will depend on continued collaboration and the establishment of effective institutional frameworks that support trade and investment between China and Africa.