China's expanded zero-tariff policy for African countries is not only boosting trade but also sparking optimism among Beijing consumers, who see new opportunities for high-quality and lower-priced imports.
In Beijing, residents say the policy will bring tangible benefits to daily life, from fresh fruit to coffee beans and handicrafts. Many believe the measure will broaden consumer alternatives while strengthening China-Africa cooperation.
"If some African fruits or foods are fresh and price competitive, offering good value and more choices beyond local products, I would be willing to try them. I think this is beneficial for both sides, good for China and good for the African countries. Because Chinese consumers gain more options and experience something different," said Wang Yan, a local resident.
Others highlight agricultural products such as coffee and cocoa, saying the policy will make everyday drinks more accessible while deepening exchanges between China and Africa.
"If African products enter our market, I would be eager to try more of them, especially coffee beans. Coffee is already a big part of my daily life. I drink two or three cups every day. So if African coffee beans become available here, I'll learn more about them and buy more coffee products," said Lyu Xinyang, a young man.
"[I will pay closer attention to] agricultural products such as coffee, cocoa beans and fruit. I think [this policy] is excellent, as anything that makes daily life more convenient and affordable is good for all of us," said Zhang Zhitong, a young woman.
Beyond food, consumers are also eager to explore African decorative items and handicrafts, saying the policy comes at the right time for shoppers.
"I think decorative items are worth trying, such as diamonds or handicrafts made by the African people. [This policy] is very good for consumers, especially for people like me who enjoy shopping. If I can buy better products at lower prices, I would be very happy to try them," said Wang Kuichao, a local.
China expanded zero-tariff treatment on Friday to all 53 African countries that had established diplomatic ties with the country, extending benefits beyond the 33 least developed countries (LDCs) already covered since December 2024. The new policy applies preferential rates to the remaining 20 African nations for two years, during which China will promote the signing of the China-Africa Economic Partnership for Shared Development agreement to make zero tariffs a long-term arrangement.
Zero tariff policy sparks optimism among Beijingers for affordable African goods
Ethiopian coffee, famous for its unique flavor, is quickly gaining ground in the Chinese market, and producers hope to further propel exports by leveraging China's newly implemented zero-tariff measures.
China's zero-tariff policy for all 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations takes effect on Friday, marking a new stage for China-Africa economic and trade cooperation.
For Ethiopia, the policy opens a timely growth avenue. The country ranks among the top five global coffee producers, and China has already emerged as its fourth-largest export market.
Finette, a coffee trader from the east African country, recently traveled to China to visit a coffee processing company in central China's Henan Province. During the trip, she hopes to establish a more stable and in-depth cooperative relationship this and other Chinese companies.
"I came here be because this company is a key buyer of green (coffee) beans from Ethiopia. I also come here for displaying Ethiopian traditional culture, information sharing. I'm the delegate of coffee trading company in Ethiopia. I hope more and more Chinese can drink coffee, drink the original Ethiopian coffee," said Finette.
On Thursday, the first branded store in China specializing in African coffee officially opened inside Zhengzhou Airport, a major import hub in the country's eastern region. The store is run by Huichuan Industrial Development Company, which has cooperated directly with Ethiopia and invested 300 million yuan (about 43.9 million US dollars) in the construction of a coffee processing industrial demonstration park in 2020.
"We already have more than a dozen varieties of African coffee on display here. We want to make high-quality African coffee a local specialty of Henan and bring it to more friends from other places," said Lu Ying, deputy general manager of the company.
Ethiopia's blooming coffee trade is part of a larger story. Trade between China and Africa has reached a record high for five consecutive years and is expected to exceed 300 billion US dollars for the first time in 2025. China has remained Africa's largest trading partner for 17 consecutive years. Over the past five years, China's annual imports of agricultural products from Africa have averaged over 5 billion US dollars.
"Since China expanded cooperation through unilateral openness, more and more African agricultural products have entered the Chinese market, such as Ethiopian coffee, Egyptian citrus fruits, South African pecans, and Kenyan avocados. This is partly due to China's expanding zero-tariff policy towards the least developed African countries, and partly a result of cooperation between relevant government departments and enterprises,” said Jing Ning, deputy director of the Department of West Asian and African Affairs under the Ministry of Commerce.
Ethiopian coffee gains momentum in China as zero-tariff policy takes effect
