Beijing – Somalia and China have reopened a new chapter in their bilateral relations, following a landmark meeting between Defense Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi and his Chinese counterpart, Admiral Dong Jun, on the sidelines of the Xiangshan International Defense Forum in Beijing.
The talks, which took place on Friday, represent the first ministerial-level defense engagement between the two nations in nearly 40 years. Both sides underscored the importance of strengthening security cooperation and reaffirmed their shared interest in advancing stability in the Horn of Africa and beyond.
Fiqi highlighted Somalia’s ongoing struggle against terrorism and maritime threats, stressing the need for international partnerships to build the Somali National Army’s capacity.
“This meeting reflects Somalia’s commitment to diversify its security cooperation and to engage with longstanding partners such as China in addressing regional and global challenges,” he said.
Admiral Dong Jun welcomed Somalia’s participation in the Xiangshan Forum, which has become a key platform for dialogue on international security. He assured Beijing’s readiness to expand collaboration in training, counterterrorism, peacekeeping, and maritime security—areas where Somalia has urgent needs.
The meeting also carries symbolic weight, reviving ties that had been largely dormant since the 1980s, when China supported Somalia with infrastructure development and military training. Analysts see the renewed engagement as part of China’s broader push to deepen its strategic footprint in Africa, while offering Somalia additional diplomatic leverage at a time of heightened geopolitical competition in the region.
With the Horn of Africa at the crossroads of vital global trade routes, Somalia’s cooperation with China is expected to extend beyond security to economic development and infrastructure. Officials from both countries hinted at follow-up visits to cement agreements in the coming months.
The Xiangshan Forum, attended by defense ministers, military chiefs, and experts from more than 90 countries, provided the backdrop for this historic dialogue. For Somalia, the Beijing meeting signals not only a revival of an old friendship but also an effort to secure broader international backing for its national security and state-building agenda.