China will grant all the least-developed countries that have diplomatic relations with China zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines, according to a statement from the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council published on Thursday.
The treatment, effective from Dec. 1 of this year, aims to expand unilateral opening to the least developed countries which have diplomatic relations with China and achieve common development, the statement said.
For products subject to tariff quota administration, goods within the quota will enjoy zero tariffs, while tariff rates on goods exceeding the quota will remain unchanged, it said.
The move is a concrete action taken by China to further open up and open the doors wider to the least developed countries, and also an important measure to steadily ease market access, said the country's Ministry of Commerce on Thursday.
China is the first developing country and major economy in the world to grant zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines of the least developed countries, according to the ministry.
The treatment will promote China-Africa economic and trade cooperation, advance the building of a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future, help the least developed countries prosper, and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results.
China grants least-developed countries zero-tariff treatment
China grants least-developed countries zero-tariff treatment
A bell-ringing ceremony was held to mark the 93rd anniversary of the September 18 Incident in front of a monument at the September 18 Incident History Museum in Shenyang City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, on Wednesday.
It was on this fateful day in 1931 when Japanese troops blew up a section of the railway near Shenyang under their control, and accused Chinese troops of sabotage as a pretext for subsequent aggression against China.
Representatives of people from all walks of life struck a bell 14 times, symbolizing the 14 years of fight against Japanese aggressors by the Chinese people. The bell was cast with the words "Never forget national humiliation".
At 09:18, 14 cities in Liaoning sounded air raid sirens for three minutes, while vehicles came to a halt and honked their horns, and citizens were standing in silent tribute to mark this dark chapter in history. Ships and trains also sounded their sirens.
For years, China has kept marking the September 18 Incident.
The incident sparked Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
The 1931-1945 Japanese invasion caused more than 35 million casualties among Chinese troops and civilians, accounting for one third of the WWII casualties worldwide.
During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, China fought with two-thirds of Japan's army, making a major contribution to the allied victory in WWII.
China holds ceremony to mark 93rd anniversary of Sept 18 Incident
