Chinese President Xi Jinping announced in February that starting from May 1 this year, China will comprehensively implement zero tariffs for 53 African countries with diplomatic relations. On the 28th, the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council of China issued a notice, stating that among these 53 African countries, the 20 countries that do not belong to the "least developed countries" category will implement zero tariffs in the form of a "preferential tax rate," but the period is limited to only two years.
This notice specifies that for these 20 countries, the two-year period will be from May 1 this year to April 30, 2028. In addition, for agricultural products sold by these 20 countries to China that are subject to tariff quotas, products not included in the quota will maintain the existing tax rates.
However, the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council stated that this is China’s “innovative initiative” and a “phased arrangement.” During this two-year implementation period, China will continue to promote the negotiation and signing of "Economic Partnership Agreements for Common Development" with relevant African countries.
The Commission also stated that for the remaining 33 African least developed countries that have diplomatic relations with China, China has already implemented zero tariffs on 100% of products from these 33 countries starting from December 1, 2024.
The Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council of China declared that this further move to implement zero tariffs for the remaining 20 African countries with diplomatic ties demonstrates China’s “active stance in expanding high-level opening-up to the outside world.”
In a congratulatory message sent to the African Union Summit on February 14 this year, Xi Jinping announced that starting from May 1 this year, China will comprehensively implement a zero-tariff policy for 53 African countries with diplomatic relations, and will continue to promote negotiations and signing of "Economic Partnership Agreements for Common Development." Swaziland, which maintains diplomatic relations with Taiwan, is the only African country excluded by China.