CIIE briefs African Union on zero-tariff policy for 53 countries

With support from the Chinese mission to the African Union and the Chinese embassy in Ethiopia, the CIIE Bureau and the Hongqiao Forum secretariat held a promotion session for the 9th CIIE and a Hongqiao Forum consultation at African Union headquarters on the afternoon of 21 April 2026. The meeting was held as China prepared to apply zero tariffs on 100% of tariff lines to 53 African countries with diplomatic relations from 1 May, and was framed as proactive outreach and consultation aimed at African countries and companies. It was the second time the expo and the forum had been taken to the African Union, following a first visit in May 2023.