First Yuan Loan Agreement Signed Between Chinese and South African Banks to Accelerate African Development
Record-Breaking China-Africa Trade at Yantai Port
On July 7, 2025, dump trucks destined for Africa were being loaded onto ships at Yantai Port in East China's Shandong Province. This event marked a significant milestone, as the transport volume in the first half of 2025 set a new record high for Yantai Port's China-Africa liner service.
The impressive 80.7 percent increase compared to the same period in the previous year represents a surge in trade between China and Africa. In total, the Yantai Port transported 2.858 million tons of equipment and materials during this period, with the dump trucks being just a part of this record-breaking transport.
This growth can be attributed to several key factors. Firstly, China's elimination of all tariffs on imports from 53 African countries in June 2025 has greatly improved African exporters' access to the Chinese market. This zero-tariff policy has significantly boosted trade volumes by reducing costs and barriers for African goods entering China.
Secondly, the strategic diplomatic and economic alignment between China and African countries has positioned China as a more open and reliable trade partner compared to the US and Western countries, who impose tariffs and restrictions on African trade.
Thirdly, the rising demand in China for African commodities and diversified exports is another driving force behind this growth. African exports to China include major commodities like oil, minerals, and metals, led by Angola, DRC, and South Africa, as well as increasing growth in industrial and agricultural products.
Fourthly, China's heavy investments in African infrastructure and services have enhanced trade capacity and connectivity, supporting rising liner service volumes at ports such as Yantai. These projects facilitate larger and faster shipments between China and Africa.
Lastly, contrast with Western protectionism, where the US and others have imposed tariffs, aid cuts, and visa restrictions on African countries, makes China the more attractive partner for African trade expansion.
Together, these factors explain the dramatic boost in China-Africa trade volumes and liner service growth at Yantai Port in 2025, reflecting both policy-driven market opening and strategic geopolitical positioning by China.
The photo referenced in this article, showing dump trucks being loaded onto ships, is from VCG. The transported goods were delivered to over 20 African countries and regions in the first half of 2025, further strengthening economic and trade ties between China and Africa.
- The surge in trade between China and Africa, as evident in the record-breaking transport volumes at Yantai Port, has been facilitated by China's elimination of tariffs on imports from 53 African countries.
- Africa's exporters now have improved access to the Chinese market, thanks to China's zero-tariff policy, resulting in a significant increase in trade volumes and reduction of costs and barriers for African goods entering China.
- The strategic diplomatic and economic alignment between China and African countries positions China as a more open and reliable trade partner compared to the US and Western countries, who impose tariffs and restrictions on African trade.
- China's heavy investments in African infrastructure and services have boosted trade capacity and connectivity, supporting rising liner service volumes at ports such as Yantai, and facilitating larger and faster shipments between China and Africa.
- The contrast between Western protectionism, with the US and others imposing tariffs, aid cuts, and visa restrictions on African countries, makes China the more attractive partner for African trade expansion.
- The rising demand in China for African commodities and diversified exports, coupled with improved access, open trade policies, and strategic geopolitical positioning, explains the dramatic boost in China-Africa trade volumes and liner service growth.
- This extensive trade between China and Africa, as seen in the record-breaking transport at Yantai Port, further strengthens economic and lifestyle connections between the two regions, enhancing business opportunities, technological exchange, and education-and-self-development collaborations.
- The general news of this record-breaking trade marks a significant step in China's ongoing commitment to strengthen economic ties and fostering mutual growth with Africa.
