China has invited Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud for an official visit, reaffirming support for Somalia’s unity and sovereignty, officials said.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Beijing firmly backs Somalia’s territorial integrity and opposes actions undermining sovereignty, including Somaliland’s pursuit of international recognition.
Wang pledged expanded defense cooperation, stressing China rejects any Somaliland engagement with Taiwan aimed at advancing secession or gaining diplomatic legitimacy.
He said China and Somalia share decades-long ties, with Beijing committed to maintaining friendly relations and consistently supporting Mogadishu politically and diplomatically.
The Somali president is expected to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping to discuss bilateral cooperation and rising geopolitical tensions across the region.
Mohamud also plans to attend the China-Africa summit in Beijing, which will bring together leaders amid shifting global alliances and strategic economic interests.
Wang Yi is concluding a six-day African tour in Lesotho, the final stop during early-year diplomatic outreach across multiple regional partner states.
His planned visit to Somalia was postponed following what Chinese officials described as friendly consultations between the foreign ministries of both countries.
The diplomatic moves come as tensions rose after Israel recognized Somaliland as independent, prompting criticism throughout the Horn of Africa and beyond.
Somaliland has governed itself since declaring separation from Somalia in 1991, but it still lacks international recognition as a sovereign state.