President Daniel Chapo begins a seven-day state visit to China on Thursday, April 16, with the aim of strengthening bilateral cooperation and forging partnerships in various areas to stimulate economic development.
“At the invitation of President Xi Jinping, the President of the Republic of Mozambique, Daniel Chapo, will pay a state visit to China from April 16 to 22,” according to a statement released by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In March, the Standing Committee of the Assembly of the Republic authorized Daniel Chapo’s trip to China, arguing that it was in accordance with the Constitution, as it was a state visit.
Last year, the Chinese government waived interest on loans granted to Mozambique through 2024 and announced a donation of $12 million (765 million meticais) to support development projects in the country. Mozambican Prime Minister Benvida Levi confirmed the information following a two-day visit to China.
“We received two pieces of positive news from Chinese President Xi Jinping: one was the donation of $12 million to our country, and the other was the waiver of interest on loans granted to Mozambique through 2024,” she stated.
At the end of the first half of the year, debt to China accounted for 15% of Mozambique’s total external debt, which stood at $9.8 billion (619 billion meticais), highlighting the Asian country’s significant influence on the nation’s finances.
During the same period, Mozambique recorded no disbursements or debt service payments to Portugal, whose debt stood at $380.7 million (24 billion meticais). Among bilateral creditors, only Japan had a higher figure, at $405.5 million (25.6 billion meticais) at the end of June.
In February, during another session of the Council of Ministers, the government called on the private sector to maximize and capitalize on exports to China, after that country announced that, starting May 1, it would apply a total tariff exemption to imports from 53 African states.
“This is a window of opportunity that we must all seize, just as there are various other opportunities for Mozambicans and others,” declared the government spokesperson, Inocêncio Impissa, in response to the measure announced by Chinese authorities.
Chinese President Xi Jinping announced on Saturday (the 14th) that his country will suspend all import tariffs on the 53 African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations, effective May 1.
According to Inocêncio Impissa, the government welcomed the decision, emphasizing that Mozambique has a historic relationship with China and that, over the years, it has benefited from mutual economic and trade opportunities. The government urged local businesspeople to take full advantage of this new opening.
“What we can recommend is that companies and businesspeople (those engaged in export trade) take advantage of this opening to capitalize on their businesses.”
