Talks between President Muse Bihi Abdi of Somaliland and China’s Ambassador to Somalia, Qin Jian, are reported to have collapsed on Tuesday.
According to insiders, Ambassador Jian’s stance and approach at the talks did not impress President Bihi.
Consequently, Bihi expressed great displeasure at Jian’s “threats” against Somaliland.
President Bihi then allegedly ended the meeting, as he felt greatly slighted by the type of diplomacy displaced by Ambassador Jian.
Later, reports allege that Bihi asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to begin the formal process of recognizing Taiwan.
In July, Somaliland established diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
The two countries are reported to be building their relations towards setting up representative offices in each other’s territory.
China has been apprehensive about Taiwan’s relations with Somaliland.
Somalia has also taken great exception to Somaliland’s pursuit of strong diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
China considers Taiwan part of its territory in the same way that Somalia does with Somaliland.
The Hargeisa meeting between President Bihi and Ambassador Jian was expected to talk about this issue.