Delegates to the African Union Heads of State Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, have welcomed China's announcement of zero tariffs on African imports beginning May 1.
In the congratulatory message from Chinese President Xi Jinping to the 39th African Union Summit, the president said China will fully implement zero-tariff treatment to 53 African countries that have diplomatic relations with China starting from May 1, 2026.
A Ugandan foreign affairs official, who was attending the African Union Heads of State Summit that opened on Saturday, hailed the increase in trade opportunities between both sides.
"This is the most exciting announcement that Africa could receive at this particular time when we are here at the AU. You will be aware that the United States of America removed AGOA (African Growth and Opportunity Act), which was a cornerstone of Africa's exports to the United States of America, but this is more than a replacement for AGOA. And I think this will increase trade and opportunities for commerce between Uganda, Africa and China," said Henry Okello Oryem, Uganda's minister of state for foreign affairs in charge of international cooperation.
An African development banker urged nations to tear down trade barriers, saying cooperation is vital for the continent's role in global commerce.
"So, I really think that this kind of initiative is welcome for Africa and it is important for African nations to also play their role in the World Trade Organization and world transactions from a trade perspective. So I do believe that this kind of initiative can go a long way and all countries should really partner to make sure that the barriers to trade are removed," said Thierno-Habib Hann, managing director of the Shelter Afrique Development Bank.
African delegates welcome China's zero-tariff treatment on imports from 53 African nations
As young Chinese consumers prepare for the upcoming Spring Festival, they are driving a shift in traditional shopping habits, adding emotional and cultural meaning to their holiday purchases.
Falling on Feb 17 this year, the Spring Festival marks the start of the Chinese New Year and ushers in the Year of the Horse, the seventh animal in the Chinese zodiac.
Buying new clothes has long been part of the cultural customs surrounding Chinese New Year. But among younger shoppers, there is a growing demand for designs that are not only festive but culturally rooted, blending traditional Chinese elements with modern flair. This movement has given rise to a major trend in domestic fashion known as "New Chinese Style."
According to recent industry estimates, China's new Chinese-style fashion market is now valued at approximately 36 billion U.S. dollars, with the Chinese New Year season marking its strongest sales period.
Yang Lingling, founder of Mi Dong Fang, a brand for new Chinese-style clothing said that the visitor flow of the store has been steadily increasing since the first of January.
With the Year of the Horse approaching, items featuring horse motifs -- along with designs carrying auspicious meanings -- are among the best-sellers.
"This piece is called Galloping Horse Welcoming Spring. This one is in festive New Year red. The cuffs feature tiny horses carrying money bags," Yang said.
But the store owner believes the emotional satisfaction of buying New Chinese Style goes beyond simply wishing for good fortune.
"Customers have a deep recognition of traditional Chinese culture," she noted.
This sense of cultural pride is also echoed by designer Li Guanyu. The Year of the Horse cultural and creative products created by him and his team have been well received by younger consumers.
"China is already very strong when these young people were born, so they fully embrace the beautiful aspects of our traditional culture," said Li Guanyu, General Manager of Bushes Culture.
Li says sales of Year of the Horse products are particularly strong compared with previous years, thanks to growing interest among young people in cultural and creative products. And the best-selling products are those that combine traditional elements with playful or fun features.
"For example, this one is inspired by the rocking horse that children play on. We then added traditional Chinese symbols of good luck -- a chubby god of wealth holding a big gold ingot, sitting on the horse," explained Li.
From traditional motifs to creative designs, these products let young shoppers connect with Chinese heritage in a fun and meaningful way -- giving them a strong emotional satisfaction as they express their personality and cultural identity during the Chinese New Year.
Young Chinese consumers add emotional value to Spring Festival shopping
