The Chinese government has called on African regulatory authorities to tighten security at entry points as a means of curbing what it terms the “proliferation of counterfeit goods”.
Director general of African Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in China, Dai Bing, said in a statement: “Our governments must work together to address this problem as it damages the image of China and Africa as traders.”
He admitted that Chinese traders were complicit in helping their African counterparts move illicit goods across the borders.
He said strong measures, strict regulations and cooperation between China and African nations were “vital” in the war against counterfeit products.
“Our trading partnership is built on friendship, brotherhood and sincerity...we need to work together to iron out anything that is likely to jeopardise the partnership,” he said.
