Changsha, (SONNA) – The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, H.E. Abdisalam Abdi Ali (Dhaay) met on Thursday (June 12), in Changsha, Hunan Province, with H.E. Chen Xiaodong, Chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), and discussed with him on strengthening the strategic development partnership between Somalia and China in alignment with Somalia’s National Transformation Plan, with particular focus on human capital development, agriculture, healthcare, digital governance, and infrastructure.
During the meeting, the Minister welcomed China’s continued support for Somalia’s development priorities and emphasized the importance of ensuring that assistance is sustainable, effective, and aligned with national ownership. He highlighted Somalia’s long-term vision for resilience and economic recovery and called for enhanced collaboration in delivering meaningful outcomes.
Chairman Chen Xiaodong reaffirmed China’s commitment to supporting Somalia’s self-reliant development efforts. He noted CIDCA’s focus on implementing “small yet smart” and high-impact projects tailored to local needs, particularly in areas such as food security, public health, and technical education.
Both sides agreed on the importance of bilateral goodwill into tangible improvements in the lives of Somali citizens. Discussions also covered enhanced cooperation under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), including implementation of President Xi Jinping’s initiatives to support African modernization.
The Minister expressed appreciation for China’s steadfast partnership and reaffirmed Somalia’s readiness to further deepen bilateral cooperation through transparent, focused, and mutually beneficial engagement.
