President Xi Announces Zero-Tariff Access for All African Nations with Diplomatic Ties to China

Uganda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Gen. Jeje Odongo Abubakhar, on Wednesday delivered Uganda’s national statement at the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-Up Actions of the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), currently underway in Changsha City, Hunan Province, China.

The meeting, attended by African Ministers and senior officials, was officially opened by China’s Foreign Minister, H.E. Wang Yi, who outlined five proposals aimed at enhancing high-quality China–Africa cooperation. These included; the need for mutual support and solidarity among countries of the Global South, a commitment to international free trade and openness, shared development through win-win cooperation, upholding justice and fairness in the international order, and promoting civilizational diversity through mutual learning and cultural exchange.

Minister Wang Yi also read a congratulatory letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping, in which he announced a major policy shift: all 53 African countries with diplomatic ties to China will now receive zero-tariff treatment on 100% of tariff lines. Additionally, China will provide greater support for exports from Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and continue implementing the 10 Partnership Actions to build a “China–Africa community with a shared future in the new era.”

In his address, Minister Odongo expressed appreciation to the Government of the People’s Republic of China for hosting the meeting and emphasized the significant contributions of FOCAC to Uganda’s development. He cited landmark infrastructure projects such as the Kampala–Entebbe Expressway and the Karuma and Isimba Hydropower Plants as key outcomes of China–Uganda cooperation under the FOCAC framework. He also noted that concessional loans and grants from China have greatly supported Uganda’s efforts in agriculture and social services—central pillars of the country’s Agro-Industrialization and Inclusive Growth Agenda.

Presenting Uganda’s development priorities, Minister Odongo highlighted the country’s 10-fold growth strategy, which focuses on agro-industrialization, tourism development, mineral-based development, oil and gas (petrochemical) sector development, and advancing the knowledge economy. He identified critical enablers needed to drive this agenda, including digital infrastructure, industrial parks, ICT, human capital development, major transport infrastructure such as the Kibuye–Busega Highway, irrigation for agriculture, and digital health systems.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Hon. Odongo held a bilateral meeting with Mr. Chen Xiaodong, Chair of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA). They reviewed the implementation of ongoing FOCAC-funded projects and explored new areas for cooperation aligned with Uganda’s National Development Plan IV (NDPIV) and the broader 10-fold economic transformation strategy.

At the conclusion of the Ministerial Meeting, participants jointly adopted several key documents, including the China–Africa Changsha Declaration on Upholding Solidarity and Cooperation of the Global South, the List of Outcomes of the Implementation of the Follow-Up Action of the Beijing Summit of FOCAC, and the Concept Paper on the 2026 China–Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.

These outcomes reaffirm the strong political will of both sides to deepen mutual trust, enhance win-win cooperation, and strengthen the bond between the Chinese and African peoples.