The China-Mauritius Free Trade Agreement came into effect and the African Free Trade Area was launched.
On January 5, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying presided over a regular press conference. A reporter asked a question. On January 1, 2021, the Free Trade Agreement between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Mauritius came into effect, the same day. The African Continental Free Trade Area has also been officially implemented. In the context of the new crown pneumonia epidemic, what is the significance of the effective implementation of the China-Mauritian Free Trade Agreement? How does China comment on the official launch of the African Free Trade Area?
Hua Chunying said that the China-Mauritian Free Trade Area is the first free trade area established between China and African countries. At present, the new crown pneumonia epidemic is still spreading globally, and African countries such as China and Mauritius are facing the arduous task of fighting the epidemic, stabilizing the economy, and protecting the people’s livelihood. The implementation of the China-Mauritian Free Trade Agreement came into effect as scheduled, reflecting China’s unswerving position of promoting mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Africa and deepening China-Africa traditional friendship, and further enriching the connotation of China-Africa comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.
We also extend our warm congratulations to the formal implementation of the African Free Trade Area. This is another milestone in the process of African economic integration, which fully embodies the firm determination and solid efforts of African countries to unite and strengthen themselves, promote economic transformation, and control their own destiny. In the context of the current impact of the new crown pneumonia epidemic and the intertwined international situation with unstable and uncertain factors, the formal implementation of the African Free Trade Area will also inject strong impetus into maintaining multilateralism and free trade, and promoting the stable recovery of the world economy.
Over the years, China and Africa have united and assisted each other and cooperated sincerely, creating a model of friendly cooperation and common development among developing countries. China has signed the “Belt and Road” cooperation documents with 44 African countries and the African Union Commission. As the fine tradition of the Chinese Foreign Minister’s first visit to Africa each year, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi has set off to visit Africa. This year, the China-Africa Cooperation Forum will also enter its third decade. The new forum will be held in Senegal. China and Africa will focus on the three key points of anti-epidemic cooperation, economic recovery, and transformation and development, to build a new consensus on unity and expand cooperation New areas to enhance people’s livelihood and new welfare. We believe that the entry into force of the China-Mauritian Free Trade Agreement and the formal implementation of the African Free Trade Area will bring new historic opportunities to China-Africa relations. We are willing to continue to support the construction of the African Free Trade Area and discuss China-Africa free trade cooperation with African countries, expand African commodity exports to China, inject new impetus into the transformation and upgrading of China-Africa cooperation, and promote continuous progress in the construction of a China-Africa community with a shared future.
