China's policy of extending zero-tariff treatment to the least developed countries (LDCs) with which it has established diplomatic relations has significantly boosted trade liberalization, fostering a new era of shared benefits and mutual development.
March 10 marked 100 days since the entry into effect of China's zero-tariff treatment for all products from the least developed countries (LDCs) maintaining diplomatic ties with China.
Over the past three months, trade between China and these nations, including 33 African countries, has seen significant growth, creating new opportunities for economic development and cooperation.
Recently, a batch of natural rubber imported from Laos cleared customs in Qingdao City of east China's Shandong Province and entered a local tire production line, benefiting from the tariff exemption.
"With the preferential certificate of origin, this shipment enjoyed the exemption of 660,000 yuan (about 91,246 U.S. dollars) in import duties," said Sun Yunhua, operator of a foreign trade company.
Implementing preferential tariff rates for the least developed countries not only reduces tariff costs for Chinese importers but also enhances the competitiveness of export products from these nations, significantly boosting bilateral trade.
To ensure that enterprises will fully utilize the policy, Chinese customs authorities leverage big data analysis to match import declarations with the zero-tariff list, providing targeted guidance.
"For goods from landlocked countries like Mali, Niger and Zambia that must be transshipped through a third-country port to reach China, as long as they remain in container transport without changes to the seal identification code, the requirement for a third-country official non-processing certificate is waived. This allows these goods to directly enjoy zero-tariff benefits, further enhancing the efficiency and convenience of preferential tariff access for businesses," said Wang Zhiwei, deputy director of the Tariff Department of Qingdao Customs.
Zero-tariff treatment for least developed countries significantly boosts trade liberalization
The Trump administration's move to cut public funding for the Voice of America (VOA), a propaganda tool for the U.S. government, is due to competing interests and struggles between different political factions, a Chinese expert said during an interview on Monday.
U.S. President Donald Trump on March 14 signed an executive order, which listed the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), the parent agency of VOA, as part of "unnecessary" federal bureaucracy.
More than 1,300 VOA employees, including journalists, producers and assistants, were reportedly placed on administrative leave on Saturday.
Diao Daming, deputy director of the Center for American Studies at Renmin University of China, shared his insights on why Trump halted funding for the agency during his second term.
"He feels that VOA has not effectively fulfilled its mission to make the United States great again and serve the country's interests. On the other hand, public opinion institutions under the USAGM, including VOA, have been openly critical of Trump, his team, and his administration, particularly regarding certain policies during his first term. After assuming office for a second term, Trump swiftly implemented this tough measure, which is evidently influenced by competing interests and struggles between different political factions," said Diao.
Founded in 1942, the VOA has long served as a political tool for the U.S. government, engaging in ideological confrontation and shaping public opinion. For over 80 years, regardless of whether the Democratic or Republican Party was in power, funding for institutions like VOA remained uninterrupted.
Experts described the VOA as a propaganda machine aimed at ideological infiltration in certain regions, as many of its programs are inaccessible within the United States and are instead broadcast exclusively to specific countries abroad.
"In the past, when I served as a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, I encountered VOA reporters at domestic events, international conferences, and various occasions. They would, for example, selectively ask questions during interviews, selectively edit our responses, and then selectively report and broadcast them. Given such practices, how much credibility can VOA really have?" said Yang Yujun, dean of the Academy of Media and Public Affairs at the Communication University of China.
Trump's cut to VOA due to struggles between different political factions: expert
