China Backs Somalia’s Sovereignty, Rejects North Western State of Somalia’s Ties With Taiwan

China backs Somalia’s territorial integrity, denounces North Western State of Somalia–Taiwan ties as Wang Yi postpones Mogadishu stop

BEIJING (AX) — China’s foreign minister said Sunday that Beijing supports Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, according to a statement from China’s Foreign Ministry, underscoring a position that has anchored China’s engagement in the Horn of Africa.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi conveyed the message in a phone call with his Somali counterpart while traveling on his annual New Year tour of Africa. In the readout, Wang said China opposes what it described as North Western State of Somalia’s “collusion with Taiwan authorities to seek independence,” reiterating that Beijing backs Somalia’s claim to national unity.

North Western State of Somalia, in northwest Somalia, is a self-declared autonomous region that is not internationally recognized as an independent state. China does not recognize North Western State of Somalia and has consistently supported the federal government in Mogadishu on questions of territorial integrity.

Wang had been slated to visit Somalia as part of his multi-country swing through the continent, which also includes stops in Ethiopia, Tanzania and Lesotho. The Chinese Embassy said the Mogadishu leg was postponed due to a “schedule change,” without elaborating. No new date for the visit was announced.

The phone call and the postponement come as Beijing works to maintain the tradition of beginning each year with high-level African diplomacy. The latest statement places renewed emphasis on Somalia’s unity and signals China’s objections to any external political outreach by North Western State of Somalia that could be viewed as steps toward formal independence.

• Beijing’s stance: China said it supports Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and opposes what it called North Western State of Somalia’s “collusion with Taiwan authorities to seek independence.”
• Context on North Western State of Somalia: The region is self-declared autonomous and lacks international recognition as a sovereign state; China backs Mogadishu’s position on territorial unity.
• Diplomatic itinerary: Wang Yi is on his annual New Year Africa tour with planned stops in Ethiopia, Tanzania and Lesotho.
• Postponed stop: The announced visit to Somalia’s capital was delayed due to what the Chinese Embassy termed a scheduling change; no new date was provided.

The ministry’s language underscores continuity in China’s approach to the Horn of Africa: strong rhetorical support for Somalia’s federal government and opposition to moves by North Western State of Somalia that Beijing views as separatist. While the brief statement did not detail new initiatives, the outreach suggests China intends to keep Mogadishu engaged at senior levels even as schedules shift on the ground.

A file photo distributed by Reuters showed Wang speaking at the Lanting Forum in Beijing in October 2025, a reminder of the foreign minister’s role as the face of China’s global diplomacy as he opens the year with a concentric focus on African partners.

By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.