On April 28, Ambassador Huang Shifang gave a written interview to Mauritius’ mainstream newspaper Le Défi, introducing China’s zero-tariff policy for Africa.

Ambassador Huang stated that, starting from May 1 this year, China will implement a comprehensive zero-tariff policy for all 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations, while further expanding market access for African exports to China. This marks a new step in China’s high-level opening-up and makes China the first major economy to grant full zero-tariff treatment to all its African diplomatic partners. The policy is expected to promote Africa’s industrialization and agricultural modernization.

She noted that the policy will help Mauritian exporters enhance competitiveness, particularly benefiting sectors such as textiles, seafood, specialty agricultural products, and sugar, while also attracting investment in export-oriented industries. The policy will be valid for two years. China is willing to launch negotiations with Mauritius to upgrade the Free Trade Agreement and explore the conclusion of the Framework agreement on Economic Partnership for Shared Development, with a view to making the zero-tariff arrangement permanent and enabling African countries to better access China’s vast market.