Mogadishu, SONNA: 2025 marks the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Somalia. As the first East African nation to establish ties with China, the Horn of African nation has cultivated a friendship built on mutual respect, shared aspirations, and enduring historical connections.
Today, this bond continues to strengthen, resonating from the highest levels of government to the daily lives of both peoples.
High‑level Exchanges
In September 2024, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Beijing during the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit. The two leaders jointly announced the elevation of China–Somalia relations to a strategic partnership, marking a historic deepening of political trust and future cooperation.
President Xi emphasized that both countries shoulder the historic mission of achieving complete national unity. He reaffirmed China’s support for Somalia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, peace process, and national reconstruction.
President Mohamud reiterated Somalia’s commitment to the one‑China principle and expressed appreciation for China’s enduring support in times of both progress and difficulty.
Building Synergy for Development
Since establishing diplomatic relations, China has supported Somalia through significant projects in healthcare, culture, education, and infrastructure. Landmarks such as the Mogadishu Stadium, Benadir Hospital, National Grand Theatre and the North–South National Highway stand as enduring symbols of this cooperation.
China has also established and expanded “green lanes” for African agricultural products, offering favorable status to African companies to participate in major expos, such as the China International Import Expo. As a result, seafood, livestock, and farm produce from Somalia are gradually increasing their presence in the Chinese market. These measures not only create new economic opportunities for Somalia but also contribute meaningfully to job creation and poverty reduction. Bilateral trade in 2024 reached $972 million between the two countries.
Sharing Knowledge and Building Tomorrow
While infrastructure and economic cooperation remain vital pillars of the China–Somalia relationship, the partnership is equally grounded on strong people-to-people ties. Somalia’s Ambassador to China, Hodan Osman Abdi, once noted: “The friendly and cooperative ties between China and Somalia are nothing new; they have existed for a long time and are evident in the daily lives of Somalis.”
Somali Ambassador to China, Dr. Hodan Osman Abdi, attends International Chinese Language Day Celebration at Beijing Foreign Studies University on April 18, 2025. (Photo/CFP)
While attending the China–Somalia Friendship Scholarship awards ceremony at Somali National University in November 2025, Chinese Ambassador Wang Yu highlighted China’s commitment to high-quality development. He also emphasized the crucial role of Somali youth in shaping the nation’s future and strengthening China-Somalia bilateral ties.
Chinese Ambassador to Somalia Wang Yu, representatives of Somali National University faculty and students attend the awarding ceremony of “China-Somalia Friendship Scholarship” , November 18, 2025. (Photo/MFA China)
Today, hundreds of Somali students receive scholarships annually to study in Chinese universities, returning as engineers, doctors, and architects ready to rebuild their nation. Similarly, exchanges between Chinese institutes and Somali government officials, journalists, and researchers foster a continuous sharing of skills and knowledge.
“The solutions that emerge are the result of joint research efforts, rather than a simple ‘copy-and-paste’ approach,” said Ambassador Hodan.
China views a stable and prosperous Somalia as essential to the security and progress of the Horn of Africa. Somalia, in turn, sees China not only as a development partner but as an all-weather friend.
Looking ahead, this relationship promises to bring even greater benefits to both nations, laying a stronger foundation for peace, development, and shared prosperity for generations to come.
(Xi Yufan is a CGTN Africa News Editor based in Nairobi, Kenya, covering on developments and cooperation between China and African nations.)
