The Great Hall of the People hosted a pivotal diplomatic summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Mozambican counterpart Daniel Chapo, on a state visit to China. Amid global turbulence, the leaders reaffirmed robust Sino-African bonds, elevating cooperation to a higher strategic plane. This comes as China, effective May 1, 2026, fully eliminates customs duties on goods from 53 African nations, including Algeria.
During their April 21 Beijing talks, Xi noted that despite “global uncertainties,” China-Africa ties anchor stability for the Global South. Addressing Middle East conflict spillovers onto Africa, he urged unity to champion peace and multilateralism.
“China and Africa have advanced shoulder-to-shoulder through storms. They embody a force for justice in this chaotic world,” Xi declared.
Xi outlined a forward vision on three pillars: peace diplomacy, calling for equal dialogue to settle disputes while staunchly upholding the UN Charter against external pressures; economic openness, with zero tariffs for the 53 African diplomatic partners starting May 1, bolstered by a “green corridor” for smoother exports to China; and a lasting partnership to forge a “shared future community for China and Africa,” unlocking cooperation to spur the continent’s industrial and economic growth.
Toward a New Era
Chapo’s visit highlights China’s top-tier focus on Africa in its outreach policy. By heeding calls for greater support, Beijing positions itself as a long-term development ally beyond mere trade.
This Beijing summit cements South-South axis momentum, promising deeper economic integration and tighter global political alignment.
Sino-African economic ties are accelerating sharply in early 2026. Bilateral trade hit a record $348 billion in 2025, up nearly 18% year-over-year. Chinese exports to Africa reached about $225 billion (+26%), led by machinery, electronics, and vehicles; imports from Africa totaled roughly $123 billion (+5.4%), heavy on minerals, fuels, and rising agricultural goods.
First-quarter 2026 trade surged 23.7% year-on-year, topping $60 billion. China remains Africa’s top development partner, with 2025 investments at $39 billion.
The May 1 zero-tariff policy for 53 nations aims to narrow China’s $100 billion-plus trade surplus by easing high-value African access—like Ethiopian coffee, Kenyan avocados, or South African wine—to its vast market.