In October, 2019, China and Mauritius officially signed the Free Trade Agreement between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Mauritius (hereinafter referred to as the Agreement). The two sides have respectively completed the procedures for its entry into force. The Agreement officially became effective on January 1, 2012.

This is China’s first FTA with an African country. Its entry into force will further enhance China-Mauritius mutually beneficial cooperation level, promote China-Africa cooperation, and contribute to a closer China-Africa community of shared future.

Mauritius is an island country in the Indian Ocean off the southeast coast of the African continent. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Mauritius in 1972, bilateral economic and trade relations have grown steadily.

With the Agreement in force, in terms of trade in goods, the proportions of duty-free tariff lines of China and Mauritius will eventually reach 96.3% and 94.2%. In terms of trade in services, both commit to open up over 100 sectors. Investment-wise, this is the first time China upgraded its original investment treaty with an African country. In the meantime, the two sides have also agreed on economic and technical cooperation, rules of origin, trade remedies, and technical barriers to trade, among others.

China-Mauritius FTA will create a more open, transparent and easy business environment, enhance the wellbeing of the two peoples, and contribute to post-COVID recovery, with a sound demonstrative effect on deepening China-Africa cooperation.

The Chinese and English versions of the Agreement have been published on China FTA Service Website at http://fta.mofcom.gov.cn.