On September 2, witnessed by Premier Li Keqiang and Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, Vice Minister of Commerce Gao Yan and Mauritius Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade Seetanah Lutchmeenaraidoo signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Ending China-Mauritius Free Trade Agreement(FTA) Negotiations Between the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade of the Republic of Mauritius, and announced the formal conclusion of the FTA negotiations.

The China-Mauritius FTA negotiations were formally launched in December 2017. It is the first FTA that China signed with African countries. After four rounds of formal negotiations and several rounds of consultations, the two sides finally reached the package deal on all the contents of the FTA on August 30 in Beijing. Being comprehensive, with high-level and mutually beneficial, the negotiations covered a wide range such as trade in goods, trade in services, investment and economic cooperation. Reaching the agreement will not only provide a stronger institutional guarantee for deepening China-Mauritius bilateral economic and trade relations, but also inject new forms and elements to China-Africa comprehensive strategic partnership, promote a stronger community of shared interests and future for China and African countries, further promoting the synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the African economic integration.

Next, the two sides will review the legalization work of the results and texts of the negotiations and prepare for the final signing of the agreement.