Chinese President Xi Jinping has underscored the strength of China-Africa relations in a congratulatory message to Angolan President João Lourenço, the rotating chairperson of the African Union (AU), and AU Commission chairperson Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, as the 39th AU Summit opened on Saturday. Xi’s message, which coincided with Valentine’s Day, a day generally marked as an time to show love between people, and addressed to African leaders and the continent’s people, reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to deepening cooperation with Africa. “On behalf of the Chinese government and people, I wish to extend warm congratulations to the countries and peoples in Africa on the opening of the 39th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly,” Xi stated.
China’s Tariff-Free Trade Gesture – Strengthening China-Africa Partnerships
The gesture comes amid China’s recent announcement of tariff-free trade access for all 53 African countries maintaining diplomatic relations with Beijing—a move widely seen as bolstering economic ties and reinforcing long-standing political and trade partnerships.
Observers note that Xi’s outreach reflects China’s broader strategy of consolidating its role as a key partner in Africa’s development, particularly in trade, infrastructure, and investment. The message is expected to resonate strongly at the summit, where leaders are gathered to discuss continental priorities and global partnerships.
Africa’s Rising Global Standing
“The Global South is gaining strength amidst once-in-a-century transformations sweeping across the world. Over the past year, the AU rallied African countries to actively advance continent-wide integration, and firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Africa. It is encouraging to see Africa’s global standing and impact enjoying a steady rise as a result,” Xi said. He highlighted the significance of promoting peace and development in the world as he reiterated his undertaking he made in June last year to offer 100% tariff-free trade with African countries underscoring the deepening partnership with the continent.
“In a changing and chaotic world, China remains firmly committed to promoting world peace and common development, and building a community with a shared future for humanity. Starting from May 1, China will extend comprehensive zero-tariff treatment to the 53 African countries having diplomatic ties with China. We continue to encourage the conclusion of agreements on economic partnership for shared development, and will further expand the access of African exports to China through upgrading the existing ‘green lanes’,” Xi said.
The Chinese President said the latest steps to expand China’s high-standard opening up will unlock new opportunities for Africa’s development and the two sides’ joint pursuit of modernization. “Since China and Africa forged diplomatic relations 70 years ago, we have always stood together through thick and thin. Looking ahead, China will work with Africa to carry forward our long-standing friendship, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, expand understanding and amity, and write a new chapter in building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.
“May the 39th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly enjoy a crowning success. May China-Africa friendship last forever,” Xi said.
A deal that puts Africa on an upward trajectory
Recently South Africa was among the first 13 African countries to sign the free trade deal when South Africa’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau and China’s Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao, signed the Framework Agreement on Economic Partnership for Shared Development (CAEPA) in Beijing on 6 February in Beijing. President Xi highly commended South Africa for its leading role in negotiating and signing CAEPA, pledging that China would continue to work with South Africa to advance the early harvest negotiations, striving to conclude an early harvest agreement by the end of March as scheduled. “This will ensure that South Africa can enjoy zero-tariff treatment in a long-term and stable manner in compliance with WTO rules and benefit from other institutional arrangements aimed at integrated development in trade and investment.
The agreement which allows Africa duty-free access into the Chinese market and reiterated by Xi on Saturday is a temporary preferential arrangement introduced, as Xi put it, “in full recognition of the domestic procedural requirements of some African countries and the difficulties in completing tariff negotiations within a short timeframe, guided by the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith”. “It does not conflict with the early harvest negotiations conducted between China and South Africa under the CAEPA framework,” Xi said, echoing the words of Minister Tau.
South Africa at the Forefront of the New Partnership
By signing early, South Africa signals confidence in the framework and demonstrates its willingness to anchor Africa’s engagement with China. For South Africa, this means zero-tariff treatment on exports into China under WTO-compliant rules, offering immediate gains while broader negotiations continue. Duty-free access into the Chinese market could boost South African exports in sectors like agriculture, minerals, and manufactured goods. Pretoria’s leadership role could be double-edged—while it gains leverage, it also assumes responsibility for ensuring Africa negotiates from a position of collective strength. Being among the first group of African countries to sign the (CAEPA) is more than symbolic—it positions Pretoria as a continental pace-setter in shaping Africa’s trade relationship with China.
