Mogadishu, Somalia – 2025 commemorates 65 years of diplomatic ties between China and Somalia. As the first East African country to establish relations with China, the Horn of African nation has developed a friendship rooted in mutual respect, common goals, and historical connections.
This bond continues to flourish, extending from government leadership to the everyday lives of both populations.
Leadership Engagement
In September 2024, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met in Beijing at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit. The two heads of state jointly declared the enhancement of China-Somalia relations to a strategic partnership, representing a significant increase in political confidence and collaborative prospects.
President Jinping highlighted the fact that both nations share the historical responsibility of achieving full national unity. He reaffirmed China’s backing for Somalia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, peace initiatives, and national rebuilding efforts.
On his part, President Mohamud restated Somalia’s adherence to the one-China principle and acknowledged China’s steadfast support during periods of both advancement and challenge.
Development Cooperation
Following the establishment of diplomatic ties, China has assisted Somalia through substantial initiatives in healthcare, culture, education, and infrastructure. Notable achievements, including the Mogadishu Stadium, Benadir Hospital, National Grand Theatre, and the North-South National Highway serve as lasting testaments to this collaboration.
China has also created and expanded preferential channels for African agricultural exports, providing advantageous conditions for African enterprises to participate in major exhibitions like the China International Import Expo.
Consequently, Somali seafood, livestock, and agricultural products are progressively gaining access to the Chinese market. These initiatives generate fresh economic prospects for Somalia while significantly contributing to employment generation and poverty alleviation. Two-way trade reached $972 million in 2024.
Knowledge Exchange and Future Development
Although infrastructure and economic collaboration form essential components of the China-Somalia relationship, the partnership is equally built on robust interpersonal connections. Somalia’s Ambassador to China, Hodan Osman Abdi, once remarked: “The friendly and cooperative relations between China and Somalia are not recent; they have a long history and are visible in the ordinary experiences of Somalis.”
During the China-Somalia Friendship Scholarship awards ceremony at Somali National University in November 2025, Chinese Ambassador Wang Yu underscored China’s dedication to high-quality development. He also emphasized the critical role of Somali youth in determining the country’s future and reinforcing China-Somalia bilateral relations.
Currently, hundreds of Somali students receive annual scholarships to study at Chinese universities, returning as engineers, doctors, and architects prepared to reconstruct their country. Likewise, exchanges between Chinese institutions and Somali government officials, journalists, and researchers facilitate ongoing skill and knowledge transfer.
“The solutions developed emerge from collaborative research endeavors, rather than a straightforward ‘replication’ method,” stated Amb. Abdi.
China considers a stable and thriving Somalia as fundamental to the security and advancement of the Horn of Africa. Somalia, meanwhile, regards China not merely as a development ally but as a steadfast friend.
Moving forward, this relationship appears poised to deliver enhanced advantages to both countries, establishing a more robust groundwork for peace, development, and collective prosperity for future generations.
