Ren Faqiang, Chinese Consul General in Cape Town.
Starting from May 1, 2026, China has fully implemented zero-tariff treatment for all 53 African countries with diplomatic relations, becoming the first major economy to provide unilateral, full-coverage zero-tariff treatment to all African countries with diplomatic ties and to all least developed countries with diplomatic relations. This constitutes a major move by China to expand high-level opening-up and deepen China-Africa economic and trade cooperation, injecting new impetus into China and Africa’s joint pursuit of modernisation and the building of an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.
South Africa is China’s largest trading partner in Africa, with bilateral trade volume reaching US$53.58 billion in 2025. As a major agricultural nation in Africa and one of the world’s key agricultural exporters, South Africa previously faced tariffs of 7% on pecans, 12% on citrus fruits, and 14% to 20% on red wine exported to China. The zero-tariff policy will deliver direct benefits to South Africa: it will not only lower export costs to China and enhance the competitiveness of its products but also help drive the development of local agricultural supporting industries, boost economic growth, and improve people’s livelihoods.
