China to expand the zero-tariff treatment to African countries

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China is to expand the zero-tariff treatment to 53 African countries and also encourage more Chinese Enterprises to invest in the region.

The commitment was announced by Xue Bing, China’s Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Affairs, on Tuesday, July 29, at the ongoing 3rd conference on peace and development for the Horn of Africa, which opened in Kampala.

John Mulimba, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (Regional Affairs) shaking hands with Xue Bing, China’s Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Affairs, during the opening session on Monday, July 29. (Credit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

The conference is an initiative of the People’s Republic of China and brings together regional countries in the Horn of Africa, namely: Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda.

Also participating at the conference hosted at Four Points Hotel are delegations from: the United Nations, International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the East African Community (EAC).

At the opening, Xue, while representing the Government of the People’s Republic of China, reiterated China’s commitment to actively engage with regional countries in various initiatives that promote peace and development.

Delegates attending the 3rd conference on peace and development for the Horn of Africa posing for a photo during the opening session on Monday, July 29. (Credit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

A release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that the envoy also said China will continue to strengthen cooperation with Africa in areas such as military assistance and trade, counter-terrorism, landmines eradication and military personnel training to jointly maintain security and stability in the region.

China’s engagement with the region on peace and development, according to Xue will be anchored on three pillars namely: the need to uphold dialogue for peace and safeguard universal security; secondly, the need to explore the potential for cooperation and realize common prosperity; and the need to deepen exchange of experience in governance and safeguard international justice and fairness.

Recognising the role of economic cooperation in promoting peace and development, he added that China is ready to negotiate and sign the Agreement on China-Africa Economic Partnership for Shared Development.

Delegates attending the 3rd conference on peace and development for the Horn of Africa posing for a photo during the opening session on Monday, July 29. (Credit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

While opening the conference, John Mulimba, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (Regional Affairs), thanked China for the strong cooperation with Africa to promote peace and sustainable development, through the Global Security Initiative, which has contributed meaningfully to the international discourse on collective security.

He appreciated China’s approach to regional peace and development, which focuses on dialogue, respect for national sovereignty and comprehensive approaches to conflict.

During the conference, delegates will review the achievements of FOCAC and discuss related issues such as connectivity and infrastructure; development cooperation and industrial development; climate resilience and food security, as well as multilateralism and global governance.