Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying. Photo: VCG

The free trade agreement (FTA) launched with Mauritius shows China's unswerving efforts to promote mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Africa, and continue to advance China-Africa comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said on Tuesday. 

Hua's remarks came after on Friday when officials from China and Mauritius launched an FTA after three years of negotiations and preparations, marking the first such FTA between China and an African country. Containing 17 chapters, the FTA covers a wide range of areas for cooperation, including merchandise trade, investment, intellectual property and e-commerce. 

The FTA is expected to result in the growth of exports from, amongst others, Mauritius' garment, seafood economy to China and growth of China's steel, textile and other exports to Mauritius, an official with the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said in a statement.

Additionally, the two countries agreed to expand economic and technological cooperation in agriculture, finance, health care and tourism, according to the ministry statement.

Hua welcomed the formal launch of FTA with African countries, saying it injects strong impetus into safeguarding multilateralism and free trade and promoting the stabilization and recovery of the world economy.

The agreement is a further milestone in the process of African economic integration, which fully reflects the determination and solid efforts of African countries to unite and strengthen themselves, promote economic transformation, and control their own destiny, Hua added. 

Following a tradition of China's foreign ministers making Africa their first visit of a new year, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi kicked off his official visit to five African countries - Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Botswana and Seychelles - on Monday, showcasing the deep ties of China-Africa friendship.