Starting from May 1, 2026, China will fully implement zero - tariff measures for 53 African countries with diplomatic relations. At the same time, China will continue to promote the negotiation and signing of a common development economic partnership agreement and further expand the access of African products to China by upgrading the "green channel" and other means.

This significant opening - up measure is not only a profound echo of 70 years of Sino - African friendship but also a vivid manifestation of China's practical actions to promote the common development of the Global South and practice the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind.

From the perspective of policy evolution, this zero - tariff arrangement is a continuous and progressive process. On December 1, 2024, China has already implemented zero - tariffs on all tax items for all the least - developed countries that have diplomatic relations with China, covering 33 African countries; in June 2025, China clearly stated that it would implement zero - tariffs on all tax items for products from 53 African countries with diplomatic relations through negotiating and signing innovative free trade agreements; now the implementation timetable has been officially determined, showing China's sincerity of keeping its promises.

Full zero - tariff is a two - way rush towards market opportunities. For Africa, coffee, cocoa, nuts, special agricultural products and light industrial finished products will enter China's super - large - scale market with zero - tariffs. The "green channel" for customs clearance will further reduce costs and improve efficiency, enabling high - quality African products to enter more Chinese households faster and effectively increase local employment and income. For China, more high - quality, distinctive and green African products will enrich consumer choices, help diversify import sources and enhance the resilience of industrial and supply chains. This is not a one - way concession, but promoting cooperation through openness and exchanging markets for development, so that China's modernization and the African integration process can resonate at the same frequency.

The common development economic partnership agreement provides an institutional guarantee for Sino - African economic and trade cooperation. As an innovative free trade arrangement aimed at Africa, the agreement focuses on more convenient trade, more inclusive growth, more resilient supply chains and more modern development fields. Adhering to the principles of equal consultation and mutual benefit and win - win, it takes into account Africa's development stage and actual demands. It solidifies favorable measures such as zero - tariffs into a long - term mechanism, promotes Sino - African cooperation from project - driven to institutional integration, and sets a new benchmark for unity and cooperation in the Global South.

At present, unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise, and global trade growth is under pressure. China continues to expand its independent opening - up, implements full zero - tariffs for Africa, takes practical actions against trade protectionism, safeguards the multilateral trading system, and injects stability and positive energy into the world economy. Over the past 70 years, China and Africa have always been good friends, good partners and good brothers who share weal and woe. Once the policy is implemented and takes effect, it will surely provide new opportunities for African development and the joint pursuit of the modernization dream by China and Africa, and make the development achievements benefit both peoples more and more fairly.

Source: The WeChat public account of People's Daily Economic and Social Affairs