BEIJING, June 11 (WSH) — China has announced a sweeping economic gesture to deepen ties with Africa, granting 100% zero-tariff treatment on product tax categories to all 53 African countries that have diplomatic relations with Beijing.
The announcement came during the opening of the Coordinator’s Meeting on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), held in Changsha, Hunan Province, and was highlighted in a congratulatory message from President Xi Jinping. In it, Xi reaffirmed China’s commitment to strengthening the China-Africa community with a shared future through ten major cooperation plans and expanded market access.
Five Proposals, One Vision
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi delivered a keynote speech, outlining five principles for the future of China-Africa relations:
- Mutual support as defenders of Global South solidarity;
- Open cooperation as advocates for free global trade;
- Win-win growth through development partnerships;
- Upholding justice in global governance;
- Civilization exchange to celebrate cultural diversity.
Together, China and Africa issued the Changsha Declaration, reaffirming unity among Global South nations, and unveiled a detailed action list tracking the implementation of the Beijing Summit’s outcomes. Plans were also announced for the “China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges” in 2026.
Trade Rising, Ties Deepening
China has been Africa’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years. Since the last summit, Beijing has invested over 13.3 billion yuan in Africa, with cumulative financial support surpassing 150 billion yuan. In just the first five months of 2025, China-Africa trade hit 963 billion yuan, a 12.4% year-on-year increase — a record for that time period.
A “Golden Key” for Shared Growth
The Fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo will kick off in Changsha tomorrow, bringing together businesses, investors, and policymakers from across the continent.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that this zero-tariff initiative and the forum’s outcomes represent not just policy, but a strategic foundation of China’s foreign policy toward Africa. Officials say it’s a “golden key” unlocking the door to shared development, global south solidarity, and mutual prosperity in the era of modernization.
