China and Somalia Forge Strategic Diplomatic Alliance
In a momentous turn of events, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in the historic Great Hall of the People, Beijing, on September 6, 2024. During their meeting, the two leaders unveiled a significant upgrade to their bilateral relations, declaring a strategic partnership. This announcement coincided with Mohamud’s attendance at the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
Xi was quick to highlight Somalia’s role as the inaugural East African nation to establish diplomatic ties with China. He noted that the enduring friendship between these two nations has weathered the storms of time. Xi expressed China’s readiness to collaborate with Somalia in preserving the foundational intentions of their diplomatic relationship while striving to achieve substantial advancements that would benefit the citizens of both nations.
Moreover, President Xi underscored their shared historical responsibility to attain complete national unity. He affirmed China’s support for Somalia in its quest to maintain national sovereignty and territorial integrity, along with its developmental and peace-building initiatives. Emphasizing mutual respect, he encouraged both nations to stand united on issues vital to their core interests. Xi also committed to bolstering Somalia’s economic and social growth, exploring avenues for collaboration, and expanding developmental prospects.
Capitalizing on the FOCAC summit, Xi delineated plans to deepen cooperation with Somalia across various sectors, including trade, fisheries, and training of human resources. Additionally, he pledged continued financial backing for international peacekeeping efforts in Somalia, while advocating for Somalia to enhance its self-sufficiency in development, counter-terrorism, and stability endeavors.
In a nod to Somalia’s recent achievements, Xi extended congratulations on the country’s election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, alongside its official accession to the East African Community. He expressed China’s keen interest in amplifying multilateral cooperation with Somalia to champion global justice.
President Mohamud lavished praise on Xi’s transformative global initiatives and the visionary concept of fostering a community with a shared future for humanity. He echoed the monumental significance of the measures announced at the summit aimed at propelling the modernization of both China and Africa. Mohamud expressed unwavering confidence that, under Xi’s leadership, China is destined to evolve into a fully modern socialist powerhouse, guiding Africa and the globe towards collective progress.
Gratitude flowed from Mohamud as he acknowledged China’s instrumental role in assisting Somalia to uphold its sovereignty and spatial integrity, especially in its economic ventures. He reaffirmed Somalia’s steadfast commitment to the one-China policy. To cap off the summit’s outcomes, both nations inked cooperation agreements covering diverse realms, including broadcasting and television.
