CLOSER SOUTH-SOUTH COOPERATION

Against the backdrop of rising global trade protectionism, China's initiative to work together to build an open and inclusive world economy has won widespread support.

"What we need is to remove barriers rather than erect walls, (and) open up rather than close off. We should carry out extensive consultation and make joint contributions for shared benefit, reject the winner-takes-all approach, and build an open world economy where developing countries are better involved in the international division of labor and share the fruits of economic globalization," Xi said in August 2023 at the China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue held in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The Chinese president called on China and Africa to "work together to create a sound environment for realizing our respective development visions."

The zero-tariff treatment for Africa reaffirms China's commitment to building an open world economy, promoting shared development across the Global South through practical cooperation, and injecting stability into the global trading system and economic growth.

During the 39th African Union Summit, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres applauded the Chinese move, calling for similar measures by developed countries. "We have witnessed multiple occasions of tariffs in recent times," he noted.

African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf said that China's "very timely" zero-tariff treatment is particularly vital as Africa bears the brunt of global uncertainties, which impact the African economies with structural vulnerabilities the hardest.

"We also see isolationist policies across the world, while protectionism is growing," he added.

"The system of global economic governance that has been with us for about eight decades is coming under significant strain," said Melaku Geboye, coordinator of the African Trade Policy Center at the UN Economic Commission for Africa.

At such a critical time, he said, China's continued commitment to openness is both "timely and significant" for Africa, in addition to the "enduring and growing importance of the China-Africa partnership and its promise for mutually beneficial development and ensured prosperity."

For Fisher Global and many other African companies, the Chinese market has become central to their future growth plans. At exhibitions in Shanghai and Changsha, the company's chili products highlighted Rwanda's organic, pesticide-free produce and aroused strong interest from Chinese buyers looking to source overseas.

"China is the number one market in the world for chili, so it is very important to us," Uwizeyimana said. "We are hopeful for stronger and higher exports to China."

China's initiative marks a structural shift in bilateral ties and will further strengthen South-South cooperation, said Afonso Gomes, a Guinea-Bissau economic analyst.

"China realized very early that the future of the world economy requires multilateralism. The decision ... confirms its strong medium- and long-term strategic vision," said Gomes.