China's comprehensive zero-tariff policy for 53 African countries having diplomatic relations with China will officially come into force on May 1, boosting China-Africa trade and bringing more stability and predictability to the African economy. 

In an online poll by CGTN, 87.3% of respondents spoke positively of China's trade philosophy of mutual benefit and win-win results. Amid mounting challenges to the global trade order, China's initiative helps alleviate the development difficulties and unfair treatment confronting African countries and safeguards international fairness and justice, they said.

In 2025, China-Africa trade volume reached $348 billion, a year-on-year increase of 17.7%, setting a new all-time high. China has remained Africa's largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years. In this regard, 87.4% of respondents said the zero-tariff policy will further connect African products with China's ultra-large-scale market and create more room for Africa's development growth. In addition, 85.2% of respondents said that the rapid growth of China-Africa trade will exert a positive impact on people's livelihood, employment and other fields, and boost Africa's capacity for independent development.

In fact, the zero-tariff policy will not only drive the growth of China-Africa trade volume, but also optimize trade product categories and industrial structures. According to the survey, 87.8% of respondents said the policy will help African products with comparative advantages smoothly access the Chinese market and effectively improve their competitiveness; 84.5% said it will raise the added value of African products, thereby advancing the upgrading and structural optimization of relevant industries; and 83.8% said that this measure will enhance Africa's agricultural product processing capacity, as well as supporting capabilities in fresh preservation, cold chain, transportation and other sectors.

The global trade environment has remained severe in recent years. Unilateral tariff bullying and trade protectionism have exposed developing countries to greater uncertainties. In contrast, expanding coverage from 33 least developed countries in 2024 to all 53 African countries with diplomatic ties today, China has delivered tangible actions to inject certainty and predictability into China-Africa economic and trade cooperation. 

In the survey, 86.2% of respondents stated that China's zero-tariff initiative for Africa demonstrates its firm commitment to pursuing mutual benefit and win-win cooperation with Africa and advancing modernization side by side, as well as its sense of responsibility as a major country; 78% said China's move will further strengthen solidarity and cooperation among Global South countries to counter unilateralism and bullying acts in economic and trade affairs; and 78.3% commended China for acting as a responsible major power in promoting the common development of the world's least developed countries.

The survey was published on CGTN's English, Spanish, French, Arabic, and Russian platforms, with a total of 7,665 participants expressing their views within 24 hours.