MOGADISHU — The Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism of the Federal Government of Somalia, Daud Aweis Jama, has met with the Chinese Ambassador to Somalia, Wang Yu, to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation between the two nations.
The discussions focused on strengthening partnership in areas including media, culture, and the arts, as part of broader initiatives to solidify the longstanding relationship between Somalia and China. Minister Jama expressed appreciation for the Chinese government’s consistent support for Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, and development, noting China’s contributions through various development projects that aid the nation’s reconstruction and advancement.
Minister Jama emphasized the importance of reinforcing collaboration in media and cultural development, with particular attention to the restoration and enhancement of Somalia’s National Theatre—a key institution for promoting Somali arts, culture, and heritage. Further talks addressed strengthening connections between media organizations of both countries, including professional exchanges, journalist training programs, and media infrastructure development. These initiatives aim to support the Somali government’s efforts in public awareness, national unity, and media modernization.
Ambassador Wang Yu, in turn, outlined China’s ongoing humanitarian and development projects in Somalia, reaffirming Beijing’s commitment to deepening cooperation in media, culture, and the arts. He stressed the importance of nurturing the historic friendship and strategic partnership between the two countries.
Context: A Growing Partnership in Media and Culture
This meeting follows a series of engagements aimed at bolstering cultural diplomacy between Mogadishu and Beijing. In a similar discussion last year, Minister Aweis and Ambassador Wang reaffirmed their commitment to fostering cultural diplomacy, with particular emphasis on media exchange, artistic collaboration, and preservation of historical archives. During that meeting, the delegation toured Radio Mogadishu Archives and the National Theatre of Somalia, where members of the renowned Waaberi Band delivered a joint performance featuring both Somali and Chinese songs.
The National Theatre of Somalia, originally built by the Chinese government in 1967, has been a recurring focus of bilateral cooperation. In November 2024, Somalia and China signed a memorandum of understanding to modernize media institutions, including repairs to Radio Mogadishu studios and lighting and sound systems at the National Theatre. The agreement was described as a starting point for further cooperation between the two countries.
Beyond cultural cooperation, bilateral relations have expanded across multiple sectors. In September 2025, Defense Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi met with his Chinese counterpart, Admiral Dong Jun, in Beijing, marking the first ministerial-level defense engagement between the two nations in nearly 40 years. The talks focused on training, counterterrorism, peacekeeping, and maritime security.
In the diplomatic sphere, Somalia and China launched the China Research and Modernization Center within the Diplomatic Institute of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Mogadishu, aimed at advancing bilateral coordination and joint policy development. The two countries have also expanded cooperation in the blue economy sector, recognizing the sustainable utilization of Somalia’s maritime resources as a critical pillar for future economic growth.
