BEIJING, July 1 (Xinhua) - China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) announced Thursday that the country will cease levying tariffs on 60 percent of imports from 26 least developed African nations, including Ethiopia and Liberia.

This policy went into effect July 1, an MOC spokesman said Thursday.

The spokesman said the move was in line with China's pledge, as part of the China-Africa cooperation forum mechanism, to help African nations develop and expand cooperation and mutual benefits.

China began implementing zero-tariff policies on some imports from Africa in 2005, with the total number of taxable items enjoying no tariffs reaching 478 in 2006.

The spokesman said China was considering the further opening of Chinese markets to African products. By 2013, the country seeks to scrap tariffs on 95 percent of imports from all African countries which China has diplomatic ties with.