With effect from this Year’s Christmas day, China will grant zero-tariff treatment to The Gambia and five of Africa’s least developed countries, according to a statement issued by China’s State Council’s Customs Tariffs Commission on Wednesday.

According to the commission, as of December 25, 98 percent of the products subject to taxes from The Gambia, Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Madagascar, Mali, and Mauritania will be exempt from tariffs upon arrival in China.

According to the commission, the legislation aims to represent the spirit of friendship and collaboration between China and Africa, as well as to create a high-quality China-Africa community of shared futures.

According to the commission, China would extend its zero-tariff agreement to all LDCs with whom it has diplomatic relations in the future.

“Looking ahead, China will extend its zero-tariff deal to all the least developed countries with which it has established diplomatic relations, according to the commission,” the statements reads.