Ministry of Foreign Affairs: China's zero tariff measures widely welcomed by African countries

Beijing, July 27th (Xinhua) -- Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on the 27th that in the first half of the year, there were many highlights in China Africa trade. Against the backdrop of the spillover of regional hot issues, unilateralism, and protectionism, China has steadfastly expanded high-level opening-up with zero tariffs, demonstrating its responsibility as a major country and receiving widespread welcome from African countries and high praise from the international community.

At the regular press conference that day, a reporter asked: China Africa trade achieved remarkable results in the first half of this year, and the comprehensive implementation of zero tariff measures for African countries with diplomatic relations has achieved remarkable results. What is the spokesperson's comment on this?

Lin Jian introduced that in the first half of the year, there were many highlights in China Africa trade: firstly, the total volume accelerated and jumped. The total import and export of goods between China and Africa reached 1.41 trillion yuan, the highest in the same period of history, and the total trade volume is expected to reach a new level this year. The second is continuous optimization of the structure. According to statistics, 75% of China's exports to Africa are capital goods and intermediate goods, mainly production materials that meet the needs of industrialization and agricultural modernization in Africa, rather than consumption materials. The third is the continuous release of Africa's export potential to China. In the first five to six months after fully implementing zero tariff measures for African countries with diplomatic relations, China imported 193.8 billion yuan from Africa, a year-on-year increase of 23.5%. As of now, four major categories of products in Africa, including dried chili peppers, coffee beans, cashews, and wild aquatic products, have achieved integrated regional access.

Lin Jian said that international trade is a two-way choice, and there is no forced buying or selling. The argument of 'trade imbalance' is actually a discourse trap concocted by some malicious individuals, attempting to interfere with China Africa friendly cooperation. Against the backdrop of the spillover of regional hot issues, unilateralism, and protectionism, China has steadfastly expanded high-level opening-up with zero tariffs, demonstrating its responsibility as a major country and receiving widespread welcome from African countries and high praise from the international community.

In the future, China will continuously improve the level of trade facilitation between China and Africa, and take practical actions to help more high-quality and distinctive African products enter the Chinese market, injecting new impetus into the construction of a new era all-weather China Africa community with a shared future.