Johannesburg, March 2 (Xinhua) — The independent online news website of South Africa recently published a jointly signed article by the executive chairman of its media group, Iqbal Siver, and African research expert, Sisona M. Drokovana, stating that China has announced the full implementation of zero tariff measures on 53 African countries with diplomatic relations, further opening up vast markets to African countries, and demonstrating China’s responsible and active role in the global trading system. The article summary is as follows:
China’s zero tariff measures towards 53 African countries with diplomatic relations are an institutional arrangement covering all tax items, and an important upgrade to the zero tariff policy previously implemented towards 33 African least developed countries. China will give up about $1.4 billion in tariff revenue annually for this, reflecting a pragmatic rather than symbolic policy investment.
China’s expansion of opening up to African countries is mainly reflected in three aspects. The first step is to upgrade the “green channel” mechanism for African agricultural products, improve customs clearance efficiency while implementing zero tariffs, and reduce logistics time costs. Industries such as Kenyan avocados, South African stone fruits, and Senegalese tuna are expected to benefit from it. Secondly, China is continuing to promote the signing of economic partnership agreements for common development, adding investment cooperation and technology transfer content on the basis of tariff preferences, and building a more stable and sustainable economic and trade cooperation framework. Thirdly, the zero tariff policy applies to products that comply with rules of origin, and encourages African countries to develop local processing and manufacturing through institutional design, thereby increasing the added value of exported products.
Against the backdrop of uncertainty in the current global trade environment and the continuous establishment of trade barriers by the United States, China’s comprehensive opening of its market to Africa demonstrates its responsible and active role in the global trading system.