Maputo-Katembe Bridge in Mozambique, June 29, 2025. (Photo: Chinese Embassy in Mozambique)

Mozambican President Daniel Francisco Chapo arrived in China for a state visit on Thursday. His first visit to the country since taking office comes as China and Africa mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations and China and Mozambique celebrate the 10th anniversary of their comprehensive strategic partnership.

Economic and trade cooperation is expected to be a central focus of the discussions. Mozambique is known to have large untapped economic potential, including among the largest natural-gas reserves in the world, though it remains classified by the United Nations as least developed countries (LDCs).

To boost trade and economic cooperation, China granted zero-tariff treatment on all tariff lines for goods from 33 African least developed countries with diplomatic ties, including Mozambique, as of December 1, 2024. Bilateral trade between China and Mozambique has grown steadily since the policy took effect, reaching $5.4 billion in 2025, up 3.6% year-on-year.

China's imports from Mozambique totaled $1.59 billion in 2025, with cashew nuts, minerals and timber continuing to post steady growth. Chinese exports such as machinery, building materials and consumer goods have, in-turn, supported Mozambique's economic development and improvements in livelihoods.

Against this backdrop, at a dedicated signing ceremony during the 2025 China International Import Expo (CIIE), China's Sinochem Group signed procurement and cooperation agreements with nearly 20 companies from more than 10 countries and regions, with Mozambique among the participants.

Mozambique's participation points to its growing role in tapping into China's market, particularly in resource and agricultural exports.

To further deepen trade relations and advance high-level opening-up, China announced that it will grant zero-tariff treatment to all 53 African countries with diplomatic ties, which came into effect starting May 1. This move includes steps to increase market access for goods, improve inspection, quarantine and customs clearance facilitation, and strengthen technical and capacity-building training.

China has been Africa's largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years. Since 2000, China-Africa trade posted average annual growth rate of 14.3%. The zero-tariff policy seeks to remove trade barriers and facilitate market access, enabling Africa's competitive products to secure stronger position in global markets.