China’s imports from Africa surge 23.5 pct in May-June period on zero-tariff policy

China’s imports from Africa jumped 23.5 percent year on year to reach 193.8 billion yuan (about 28.6 billion U.S. dollars) in May and June after zero-tariff measures took effect, said the General Administration of Customs (GAC) on Tuesday.

Starting from May 1, 2026, China has expanded its zero-tariff treatment to cover all 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic ties. The country has already scrapped tariffs on 100 percent of tariff lines for 33 least developed countries (LDCs) in Africa since Dec 1, 2024.

Deputy customs chief Wang Jun said China’s zero-tariff policy has spurred double-digit growth in imports of African goods and lifted exports of mechanical and electrical products.

“China’s imports of aquatic products and textile raw materials from Africa both registered double-digit year-on-year growth. Imports of specialty fruits including avocados, apples, oranges and grapefruits rose by 130 percent, 89.6 percent, 27.9 percent and 11.9 percent respectively. In the first half of 2026, China’s exports of mechanical and electrical products to Africa climbed 28.8 percent. Among them, exports of photovoltaic products, power transmission and transformation equipment, general mechanical equipment and auto parts to Africa all maintained sound growth momentum,” he said.

China’s imports from Africa surge 23.5 pct in May-June period on zero-tariff policy

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in Taiwan should lift travel restrictions on mainland residents at an early date, said Zhu Fenglian, spokeswoman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, at a press conference in Beijing on Wednesday.

Zhu made the remark in response to a media inquiry on an appeal made by Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party, to revive the tourism sector of Penghu County of the Taiwan region.

Cheng said Penghu boasts stunning natural scenery and rich cultural heritage, but its development has been hampered in recent years. She called for the full resumption of “mini three links,” direct two-way postal, trade and transport links between the mainland and the Taiwan region, so that Penghu can receive mainland tourists like Kinmen and Matsu.

She said this is the key to reviving local tourism industry.

“The ‘mini three links’ are livelihood channels and kinship routes connecting people across the Taiwan Strait. As of June 30, 2026, the ‘mini three links’ have safely carried out over 27 million passenger trips, with over 1.15 million passenger trips performed in the first half of this year alone, injecting strong momentum into the development of Taiwan’s tourism industry,” said Zhu.

“Tourism is an important carrier for a better life and is a natural bridge to promote exchanges. We have earnestly heeding the opinions and suggestions of people from all walks of life in Taiwan and actively promoted the resumption of Shanghai and Fujian residents’ travel to Kinmen and Matsu, which has been warmly welcomed by the people of Taiwan,” said Zhu.

People on the mainland are very willing to travel to various around Taiwan, including Penghu, but the main obstacle now comes from the DPP authorities who are using various untenable reasons to impede mainland residents from traveling to Taiwan, artificially blocking the recovery of the cross-strait tourism market. We advise the DPP authorities to prioritize the interests of people on both sides of the Strait and lift the travel restrictions on mainland residents to Taiwan at an early date,” said Zhu.

Central government urges DPP to lift travel restrictions on mainland visitors