CHINA has expanded its zero-tariff treatment to 63 countries, implementing regulatory measures and green channels to boost bilateral trade, the General Administration of Customs (GAC) said on Wednesday.
Speaking at a press conference held by the State Council Information Office in Beijing, GAC head Sun Meijun outlined China's targeted regulatory measures to facilitate the implementation of the zero-tariff policy.
"We have advanced the effective implementation of policies for voluntary and unilateral opening up. In May this year, China fully implemented its zero-tariff policy for African countries with which it has diplomatic ties. We have formulated a regulatory framework to implement the zero-tariff policy, innovated a management system based on risk classification and grading, adopted facilitation measures such as agenda-based access, and expanded green channels for agricultural and food products entering China," Sun said.
The zero-tariff policy has already yielded significant results, with bilateral trade experiencing strong momentum, according to the official.
"In the first half of this year, imports and exports between China and Africa grew by 19.6 percent. Currently, the number of countries benefiting from China's zero-tariff treatment has reached 63. We will continue to implement high-level economic and trade agreements, and strengthen the alignment and connection of customs procedures, inspection and quarantine, as well as rules of origin," Sun added.
Starting from May 1, 2026, China has expanded its zero-tariff treatment to all 53 African countries with diplomatic ties. It has already scrapped tariffs on 100 percent of tariff lines for 33 least developed countries in Africa since Dec 1, 2024.
