MOGADISHU (Kaab TV) – Somalia’s Prime Minister, Hamza Abdi Barre, travelled to China on Sunday to attend the 7th China-Arab States Expo in Yinchuan, following an invitation reportedly delivered to him by Beijing’s ambassador in Mogadishu, Wang Yu, a day earlier.
According to a statement posted by the Somali Prime Minister’s office on X (formerly Twitter), Hamza met Wang Yu in Mogadishu on Saturday, where they discussed “strengthening the deep-rooted relations and cooperation” between the two countries.
The statement added that Hamza thanked China for its “multifaceted support” in politics, security, economic development, and humanitarian assistance.
Ambassador Wang Yu was quoted as reaffirming China’s longstanding partnership with Somalia, pledging continued support to the Somali government and people.
Diplomatic sources in Mogadishu told our reporter that Wang Yu not only extended the invitation but also reiterated Beijing’s growing concerns over Somaliland’s ties with Taiwan.
China, which regards Taiwan as part of its territory, views the Taiwan-Somaliland partnership—particularly in maritime security and fisheries—as a direct challenge to its interests in the Horn of Africa.
The Somaliland-Taiwan relationship has been expanding since Taipei opened a representative office in Hargeisa in 2020, accompanied by development aid and infrastructure projects.
China has condemned the arrangement as a violation of its sovereignty.
Mogadishu has reacted angrily to recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, who hinted that Washington was “looking into the Somaliland case” for potential recognition.
Beijing, meanwhile, has sought to counter Somaliland by strengthening ties with rival factions, including supporting emerging administrations such as the rebranded “North East State” (formerly Khaatumo) and showing interest in Awdal region.
Somalia-China Engagement
The Prime Minister’s office said Hamza’s trip to Yinchuan will focus on opportunities in trade, investment, technology, and energy, with the Expo serving as a platform to bolster Somalia’s economic and strategic partnerships within the Arab world and China.
China’s engagement with Somalia has recently extended beyond traditional diplomacy.
Last month, a delegation of Somali MPs and senior government officials—including figures from the offices of the president and prime minister—were flown to Beijing for a seminar on “governance” organized by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Somalia’s ambassador to China, Hodan Osman, welcomed the delegation. A fluent Mandarin speaker and former translator at the Chinese Embassy in Mogadishu, Hodan has long been seen by Somali officials as a trusted interlocutor for Beijing.
Her influence is further underpinned by her marriage to a former Somali minister, Jamal Mohamed Hassan, from the Sanaag region and currently reported to be contesting as the regional president for the North East State.