Somalia and the People’s Republic of China on Tuesday commemorated 65 years of diplomatic relations, celebrating a long-standing partnership rooted in mutual respect, political trust, and cooperation dating back to December 14, 1960, shortly after Somalia gained independence.
The anniversary event, held in Mogadishu, was addressed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, H.E. Abdisalam Abdi Ali, who highlighted the historical depth of Somalia–China relations and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to further strengthening bilateral ties.
The high-level gathering was attended by Prime Minister H.E. Hamza Abdi Barre, senior cabinet ministers, H.E. Wang Yu, the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Somalia, as well as accredited ambassadors and representatives of regional and international organizations.
In his remarks, Minister Abdisalam described China as one of Somalia’s earliest diplomatic partners, noting that the relationship has endured through decades of political change and regional transformation. He emphasized that cooperation between the two countries has expanded beyond diplomacy to include development assistance, infrastructure, health, education, and capacity building.
Over the past six decades, Somalia and China have maintained what officials described as a stable and friendly relationship, grounded in principles of sovereignty, non-interference, and mutual benefit. Chinese-supported projects have played a visible role in Somalia’s reconstruction efforts, particularly in public infrastructure and humanitarian support.
Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre echoed the sentiment, underscoring Somalia’s appreciation for China’s continued engagement and support, while expressing optimism for deeper collaboration in trade, investment, and development as Somalia advances its state-building and economic recovery agenda.
Ambassador Wang Yu, in turn, reaffirmed China’s commitment to Somalia, describing the bilateral relationship as a model of South–South cooperation and pledging continued partnership aligned with Somalia’s national priorities.
As Somalia and China mark more than six decades of diplomatic engagement, officials from both sides framed the anniversary not only as a moment of reflection, but as a platform to chart a forward-looking partnership aimed at shared development, stability, and prosperity in the years ahead.
