Somalia and China have commemorated 65 years of established diplomatic relations, reaffirming their commitment to enhanced cooperation and shared developmental objectives. The milestone event, held in Mogadishu, brought together high-ranking officials from both nations to celebrate this enduring international partnership.
Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre addressed attendees by highlighting the historical significance of this bilateral relationship, characterizing it as “a testament to enduring friendship between our two peoples.” He emphasized that this friendship has been fundamentally built upon mutual respect for national sovereignty and shared understanding across decades of regional and global transformations.
Since initially establishing diplomatic ties on December 14, 1960, China has consistently emerged as a trusted partner to Somalia. This partnership has notably respected Somalia’s political independence while supporting its national priorities and belief in the country’s future potential. The cooperative relationship has yielded practical impacts across multiple sectors including critical infrastructure development, healthcare system strengthening, educational advancement, public service capacity building, and humanitarian response during crises.
Chinese Ambassador to Somalia Wang Yu recalled the historical context of the relationship’s formation, noting that China was among the first nations to recognize Somalia’s independence. Somalia similarly distinguished itself as the first East African nation to establish formal diplomatic relations with China. Ambassador Wang acknowledged Somalia’s consistent adherence to the One-China principle while reaffirming China’s unwavering support for Somalia’s national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity.
The diplomatic celebration underscored how the China-Somalia relationship has evolved into a model of South-South cooperation, demonstrating how mutually beneficial partnerships can foster common development between nations.