China plans to sign a new economic pact with 53 African nations it has diplomatic ties with, eliminating all tariffs and extending market access beyond just least developed countries (LDCs) to include middle-income nations. “China is ready to... welcome quality products from Africa to the Chinese market,” said the foreign ministry after a meeting in Changsha. While Beijing already offers duty- and quota-free access to many African LDCs, the new deal aims to level the playing field. To support LDCs like Tanzania and Mali, which may face competition from more developed peers like South Africa, China also pledged additional assistance such as training and marketing support. Although China-Africa trade has grown, it remains heavily tilted in China's favor, with a $62 billion surplus last year. At a Beijing summit in 2023, China committed 360 billion yuan ($50 billion) in credit and investments over three years, signaling renewed engagement with the continent after the pandemic.