China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has begun his annual New Year diplomatic tour of Africa, with Somalia included as a key stop, underscoring Beijing’s growing strategic and political engagement in the Horn of Africa.
Wang Yi, China’s top diplomat, is visiting Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania, and Lesotho as part of a continent-wide tour running until January 12.
The visit aims to strengthen trade routes, maritime security, and resource supply chains, while reinforcing China’s long-standing foreign policy position on state sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Wang’s visit to Somalia will mark the first visit by a Chinese foreign minister since the 1980s, according to diplomatic sources.
Somalia occupies a strategic location along vital global shipping lanes linking the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Indian Ocean. The visit comes at a politically sensitive moment, following Israel’s recent recognition of Somaliland, a self-declared breakaway region that declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but remains unrecognized by most of the international community.
Diplomats say Beijing’s engagement is expected to provide diplomatic backing to Mogadishu, as Somalia seeks to consolidate international opposition to unilateral recognition of Somaliland.
Chinese officials say discussions in Mogadishu are expected to focus on:
- Bilateral cooperation
- Regional stability
- China–Africa relations
- Infrastructure development and humanitarian support
Specific meeting details have not yet been publicly disclosed.
China has been a longstanding political and economic partner of Somalia, supporting infrastructure development, humanitarian assistance, and diplomatic engagement. Beijing maintains a firm stance against separatist movements, viewing territorial integrity as a cornerstone of its foreign policy.
China was among the countries that publicly rejected Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, warning against unilateral actions that undermine internationally recognized borders.
“We oppose any country encouraging or supporting separatist forces within other states to pursue its own interests,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said during a regular press briefing.
The visit comes amid heightened diplomatic activity across the Horn of Africa, as Somalia seeks to bolster international support for its sovereignty. Analysts say China’s position aligns with broader African and global resistance to recognising Somaliland, reinforcing Beijing’s emphasis on non-interference and state unity.
Wang Yi’s visit to Somalia signals Beijing’s intent to deepen its political footprint in one of Africa’s most strategically significant regions. For Mogadishu, the visit represents a rare and symbolic show of high-level diplomatic support at a moment when questions of sovereignty, security, and global alignment are sharply in focus.