On Friday, China confirmed that it will grant 100% tariff-free access for imports from Afghanistan, according to state media reports.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated that this measure “will enhance bilateral trade cooperation and bring mutual benefits.”
The announcement followed remarks by Zhao Xing, China’s ambassador to Afghanistan, who said that Beijing will “offer Afghanistan zero-tariff treatment for all tariff lines.” Zhao made this statement after meeting with Afghanistan’s interim Deputy Prime Minister, Maulavi Mohammed Abdul Kabir.
During their meeting, they discussed “strengthening bilateral cooperation,” as noted by the Chinese ambassador on X.
Zhao highlighted a notable 11.5% increase in Afghanistan’s exports to China this year, according to a statement from Kabir’s office, which also mentioned that taxes on Afghan exports to China are expected to be eliminated by December.
Kabir’s office indicated that the Chinese ambassador revealed plans to establish a new economic corridor with Afghanistan through Tajikistan.
Preparations are currently “underway” for a tripartite meeting among the three nations, with efforts being made to activate the Wakhan corridor—a narrow strip in northeastern Badakhshan province connecting Afghanistan to China’s northwestern Xinjiang province.
Last year, Afghanistan announced its accession to China’s multi-billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which aims to position the landlocked nation as a trade hub and attract investment.
“CPEC will help us integrate into the Belt and Road Initiative and bring various projects in energy, railways, and other sectors to Afghanistan,” stated Hafiz Zia Ahmad, deputy spokesman for the interim Afghan Foreign Ministry, in a video statement from Kabul.
China does not officially recognize the Taliban-led interim government in Kabul, which returned to power in August 2021. However, earlier this year, President Xi Jinping accepted the credentials of Afghan Ambassador Mawlawi Asadullah Bilal Karimi during an official event in Beijing.
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