China has signed tax treaties with 21 African countries

China has signed tax treaties with 21 African countries to date, an official of the State Tax Administration (STA) said on Monday, adding that Chinese tax authorities are seeking to deepen international tax cooperation with African countries.

Meng Yuying, head of the International Taxation Department of the STA, made the remarks at a press conference of the Forum for China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) 2024 Summit.

Meng said that African countries that have signed tax treaties with China basically include those that have significant direct investment with China.

Tax treaties provide an important international legal basis for cross-border investment and business, Meng said, adding that they can prevent double taxation scenarios, provide tax certainty and facilitate the resolution of tax disputes.

“They are conducive to creating a fair, healthy and mutually beneficial international tax and trade environment, and to promoting cross-border investment and the exchange of technology and personnel,” he said.

Meng noted that the Belt and Road tax cooperation and management mechanism was established during the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in 2019, and that many African countries have joined its construction.

She said the mechanism has provided a platform for African countries to engage in international exchange, and that its many training programs have helped improve tax collection and management capabilities in the African countries involved.