Bilateral trade volume between China and Africa reached $312.1 billion during the first nine months of this year, marking a robust 22 percent increase compared with the corresponding period last year.

Effective May 1 of this year, China implemented 100 percent tariff-free treatment across all tariff lines for 53 African nations with which it maintains diplomatic ties. This measure has facilitated an extensive influx of distinctive African commodities across the oceans into Chinese consumer markets.

Between May and September, the import values of peanuts, frozen strawberries, and avocados from Africa surged by 4.4 times, 113 percent, and 82 percent year-on-year, respectively. China has solidified its standing as the foremost export destination for Egyptian frozen strawberries, while absorbing 90 percent of South Africa`s total pecan exports.

Underscoring expanding air logistics, a cargo flight arriving from the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa recently touched down at Huahu International Airport in Ezhou, Hubei Province. Flight frequency along the Ezhou–Addis Ababa freight corridor has scaled to seven services per week this year. During the first nine months, a total of 456 cargo flights operated on this route—an increase of nearly 60 percent compared with the same timeframe last year.

Concurrently, maritime freight throughput along the China-Africa general cargo liner route operated via China`s Yantai Port surpassed 8 million metric tons this year, an increase of 93 percent year-on-year, logging an all-time record since the service was inaugurated. Operating an average of more than 30 sailings per month bound for Africa, this shipping channel connects with over 20 African nations and territories.

Source: Shishir, Alim, Akash | China Media Group (CMG)