A truck carrying apples from South Africa clears customs at Shenzhen Bay Port in Guangdong province in the early hours of Friday, as China's zero-tariff policy for 53 African diplomatic partners took effect. MAO SIQIAN/XINHUA
In the early hours of Friday, a truck carrying 24 metric tons of fresh apples from South Africa swiftly cleared customs at Shenzhen Bay Port — Asia's largest land port handling both passenger and cargo traffic — becoming the first shipment to enter China as a new zero-tariff policy covering 53 African countries took effect.
China is the world's first major economy offering such unilateral, full-coverage zero-tariff treatment to all its African diplomatic partners. The nation will continue to sign agreements on economic partnerships for shared development and expand access for African products through upgraded "green lanes" and other trade facilitation measures.
Companies handling African imports are already feeling the change. "The zero-tariff measure is a real benefit for us," said Luo Shengcong, general manager of Shenzhen Kin Shing Yip International Agent Co, a trade logistics company.
Under the previous rules, similar apples imported from South Africa were subject to China's most-favored-nation tariff rate of 10 percent. With the duty now down to zero, the current shipment alone will save about 20,000 yuan ($2,929), Luo said.
The zero-tariff policy aligns with China's broader opening-up agenda. During talks with visiting Mozambican President Daniel Chapo in April in Beijing, President Xi Jinping said that China "has always accorded special priority to Africa in the course of steadily expanding its high-standard opening-up".
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the start of diplomatic relations between China and African countries. African diplomats in Beijing said the zero-tariff policy has added fresh momentum to mutually beneficial Sino-African cooperation.
Hodan Osman, Somalia's ambassador to China, said the policy has opened a strong new phase for Africa-China trade by helping more African products reach Chinese consumers and by attracting investment into production, packaging and export capacity.
Somalia's seafood is among the products with strong export potential, given the country's long coastline on the African mainland and annual seafood output of up to 800,000 metric tons.
China's vast market could encourage African producers to raise their output and improve export conditions, Osman said.
Harry Zevon, Ghana's deputy head of mission in China, described the policy as "quite generous, considering its coverage of 53 countries", noting that the measure further reflects China's interest in the development of Africa and its willingness to share its own development opportunities.
He said the policy could also benefit Ghana's industrialization drive under its "24-Hour Economy Initiative", which aims to process more agricultural products and minerals for domestic and overseas markets.
At a time when some countries are raising tariffs and turning to protectionism, China is sending "the opposite message", Zevon said, calling the measure both a strong form of diplomacy and a smart approach to relations with Africa.
Fredrick P. Malire, a counselor at the Malawian embassy in China, said the policy gives Africa "a great opportunity" to narrow the trade imbalance between the two sides. Malawi, with its strong agricultural base, sees potential in China for products such as soybeans, groundnuts and macadamia nuts, he added.
The diplomats' comments came against the backdrop of a fast-expanding Sino-African trade relationship. China has remained Africa's largest trading partner for 17 consecutive years. Official data shows that in the first quarter of 2026, China-Africa trade increased 23.7 percent year-on-year, with China's imports from Africa up 14.6 percent and exports to the continent up 29 percent.
Lin Jian, a spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry, earlier described the zero-tariff policy as "a golden key to trade prosperity, a propeller to industrial investment, a timely response to challenges, and a bridge connecting the hearts of Chinese and African people".
Against the backdrop of rising protectionism, unilateralism and spillovers from the Middle East situation, Lin said that China is using the zero-tariff measure to bring greater stability to China-Africa ties, thereby contributing to global peace and development.
Susan Mukami, a project coordinator at China Media Group Africa, wrote in Kenyan newspaper Business Daily that gaining access to China's vast consumer market is "not a small thing" for Kenya, and she compared it to being invited to "the biggest buffet in the global economy" without paying an entry fee.
China's messages to Africa are clear — "we are partners", "we respect your sovereignty" and there are "no political conditions", Mukami said.
中新经纬1月11日电 农业农村部种植业管理司消息，2023年12月中旬以来冷空气活动频繁，中东部大部地区气温低于常年同期，蔬菜生长受阻，生产管理成本增加，蔬菜地头价环比上涨较多，但随着寒潮天气过程结束，近期蔬菜价格趋于平 人社部：整治虚假职业技能培训 人社部近日发布通知，要求规范培训机构办学，严禁以招生费等名义直接或变相买卖符合补贴条件的生源，以联合办学、培训合作等名义违规转包政府补贴的培训项目，与参训人员串通提供虚假信息 预约“手慢无”！各地春节文旅成绩单亮眼 中新网北京2月19日电(张钰惠)18日，文旅部发布数据显示，春节假期8天全国国内旅游出游4.74亿人次，同比增长34.3%，按可比口径较2019年同期增长19.0%；国内游客出游总花费6326.87 中新经纬2月18日电 “长三角铁路”微博18日消息，截至2月17日，2024年春节假期正式落下帷幕，长三角铁路假期8天发送旅客逾1700万人次，日均发送旅客在215万人次以上，较2019年同期增幅超六成。2月18日(正月初九)是假期后的 作者：秦天宝（武汉大学环境法研究所所长）2023年11月，中央全面深化改革委员会第三次会议审议通过了《关于全面推进美丽中国建设的意见》《关于加强生态环境分区管控的指导意见》等重要文件。习近平 “奥德修斯”着陆！时隔50多年美国航天器首次登月 中新网2月23日电 综合美媒报道，当地时间22日，美国“直觉机器”公司研发的月球着陆器“奥德修斯”在月球着陆。 美国全国广播公司(NBC)称，这是时隔50多年美国航 。本文链接：Zero-tariff policy opens door wider for African importshttp://www.sushuapos.com/show-5-99573-0.html
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