The Chinese and Congolese foreign ministers have discussed ways to expand trade, political coordination and China-Africa cooperation.
Constant-Serge Bounda, the Republic of the Congo’s minister of foreign affairs, La Francophonie and Congolese abroad, is on an official visit to China from October 19 to 25 at Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s invitation.
Wang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said in a meeting on October 22 that the Republic of the Congo was the first African country to sign the Early Harvest Arrangement under the Agreement on Economic Partnership for Shared Development.
The arrangement, signed in Shanghai on November 4, 2025, provides for tariff reductions and establishes a framework for further negotiations on trade facilitation, inclusive growth, supply-chain resilience and modernized development sectors. According to China’s Ministry of Commerce, the arrangement will give Congolese products zero-tariff treatment across 100% of tariff lines, while Congo will further open its market to Chinese goods.
Wang said Beijing would support Congo’s development path and work with Brazzaville to plan high-level exchanges, strengthen strategic alignment and advance practical cooperation.
He also called for preparations for the tenth ministerial conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, scheduled to take place in the Republic of the Congo in 2027.
In turn, the Congolese minister reaffirmed his country’s support for China’s global initiatives and its commitment to the one-China principle, and also welcomed China’s support for African health systems, including assistance during Ebola outbreaks and investment in health infrastructure.
During the meeting, the two ministers also discussed cooperation through multilateral platforms, including the International Organization for Mediation and the China-led World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization.
