Foreign and Military Affairs

Tariffs lifted for 26 African nations

By Zuo Likun (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2010-07-01 20:54
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Beijing has granted Ethiopia, Libya and 24 other undeveloped African countries tariff-free treatment for 60 percent of their exports to China, effective Thursday, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

The measure, within the framework of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum, aims to help Africa's least-developed countries expand their export, increase revenue and alleviate poverty, said the head of the Chinese Commerce Ministry's Western Asian and African Department.

Beijing is willing to develop and expand bilateral trade with African countries in the principle of equality and mutual benefit. Chinese officials have repeatedly rebuffed accusations that its African policy merely seeks to satiate its demand for energy resources.