China will grant zero-tariff treatment to 98% of taxable items from 10 least-developed countries in a bid to promote an open global economy.Nine countries in Africa will see this benefit. Starting from December 1 this year, China will waive all tariffs on 98% of the related imports from Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Lesotho, Malawi, Sao Tome and Principe, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia, according to the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council.In a statement the commission said the step was conducive to opening up with win-win outcomes, building an open global economy, and helping least-developed countries to accelerate their development.“This policy measure will gradually expand to all the least-developed countries that have established diplomatic ties with China,” it added.The tenth country to receive the benefit is Afghanistan.
