China and South Africa signed a partnership agreement, under which South Africa will enjoy zero-tariff treatment on 100 percent of tariff lines for its exports to China, according to a release by China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) on Friday. This marks the 33rd African country to sign such a framework agreement with China. The latest move followed a commitment by China last June, which said will implement the policy of granting 53 African countries having diplomatic relations with China zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines.
By signing the agreement of China-Africa Economic Partnership for Shared Development, China will ensure that South Africa enjoys zero-tariff treatment on 100 percent of tariff lines for exports to China in a manner consistent with WTO rules, providing long-term, stable, and predictable institutional safeguards to comprehensively elevate bilateral economic and trade cooperation, Wang Wentao, Chinese Minister of Commerce said on Friday, when he co-chaired the 9th meeting of the China-South Africa Joint Economic and Trade Commission in Beijing with Parks Tau, South African Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition.
