China signed exchanges of letters on special and preferential tariff treatment with Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar on Sunday.

According to the documents, starting from January 1, 2006, some categories of goods exported to China from the three countries will enjoy zero-tariff treatment.

The preferential policy will apply to 83 categories of goods from Cambodia, 91 categories of goods from Laos and 87 categories of goods from Myanmar.

Vice Minister of Commerce Yu Guangzhou signed the exchanges of letters respectively with representatives of these countries, namely, Cambodian Minister of Commerce Cham Prasidh, Laotian Minister of Commerce Soulivong Daravong and Myanmar Vice Minister of National Planning and Economic Development Thuyain Zaw.

Present at the signing ceremony were Minister of Foreign Affairs Li Zhaoxing and Minister of Finance Jin Renqing.

China has provided preferential tariff treatment to 335 categories of goods imported from Cambodia, 239 categories of goods from Laos and 133 categories of goods from Myanmar since January 1, 2004.

To promote economic development of the three countries and boost regional prosperity, Premier Wen Jiabao announced this July that China would expand its preferential tariff treatments to the three countries.

(Xinhua News Agency December 12, 2005)