China achieved a great leap forward in its economic development in the last thirty years, supported by profound trade policy reforms, significant infrastructure investment and utilization of foreign capital, under the overarching state policy of reform and opening-up. Shares of manufactures and services in production have kept increasing, and remarkable export performance has been scored during this period. Additions of labour and capital, as well as competitive costs have largely shaped the economy’s comparative advantages up to now, and they are likely to be replaced by increasing domestic consumption, productivity growth and a greater reliance on services as the main factors sustaining future economic growth, albeit at a slower pace. Nonetheless, opening-up and domestic policy reforms, going hand-in-hand, will continue to play a critical role. The question that this paper addresses from China’s perspective may serve as a reference for the African economies seeking to establish a strong manufacturing base, and to realise economic take-off with the help of a clear opening-up strategy and a proper trade policy toolkit.