China is to offer zero-tariff treatment to 97 percent of commodities from Nepal and seven listed African countries, starting from December 10, 2015, Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council announced recently.

The announcement is regarded as the prelude of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa, from December 2 to 5. Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the forum by then in South Africa.

The seven African countries are: The Comoros; the Islamic Republic of Mauritania; Togo; Liberia; Rwanda; Angola, and Zambia.