Wang Yi reaffirms China's support for Somalia

Foreign Minister Wang Yi reaffirmed on Sunday China's consistent support for Somalia in safeguarding its sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, and opposed any attempts by "Somaliland" to collude with Taiwan authorities to seek independence.

In a phone conversation on Sunday with Foreign Minister of Somalia Abdisalam Dhaay during his African tour, Wang emphasized that China is committed to a friendly policy toward Somalia and will continue to deepen cooperation in areas such as economic, security, and defense, regardless of changes in the international landscape.

Wang welcomed Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to come to China to attend the second China-Arab States Summit, and also called for using the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges as an opportunity to further consolidate strategic partnership between the two countries.

He expressed China's full support for Somalia's rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council in January, highlighting the two countries' shared responsibility in maintaining international peace and security.

Dhaay thanked China for its support in helping Somalia safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity, oppose all forms of separatism and terrorism, and achieve national stability and development.

He reaffirmed Somalia's adherence to the one-China principle and spoke highly of China's four major global initiatives.

Somalia stands ready to deepen cooperation with China across various fields, promote lasting peace in the Horn of Africa, and jointly build a community with a shared future for humanity.

In response to reports that Wang postponed the scheduled visit to Somalia on Friday, a spokesperson of Chinese embassy in Somalia said on Saturday that due to the schedule change and as a result of the friendly negotiation between the foreign ministries of China and Somalia, the Chinese side adjusted Wang's itinerary.