HARGEISA (KAAB TV) – The Taiwan office in Somaliland has issued a statement responding to remarks and accusations from the Chinese Embassy in Mogadishu, which rejected the recent agreement between Taiwan and Somaliland regarding cooperation on coastal security.
Taiwan stated that the new agreement is part of efforts to strengthen maritime security and aligns with Somaliland’s strategic goal of making its coastline free from external influence and interference to build the blue economy.
It also said Taiwan is ready to further enhance cooperation with countries such as the United States, the UK, the European Union, and regional partners to ensure international stability and order based on international law.
Taiwan called on the Chinese government to stop what it described as acts of oppression and provocation that China is allegedly conducting in the region, emphasizing the need to support peace and stability in the Horn of Africa rather than foment conflict.
Although Taiwan lacks formal international recognition, it is one of the diplomatic partners maintaining representation in Somaliland, and relations between the two have grown in recent times.
Taiwan as an independent country
Taiwan stressed that neither Taiwan nor China governs the other, and that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has never ruled Taiwan, not even for a moment.
The statement further emphasized that Taiwan is an independent country and has never been subject to Beijing’s governance.
Therefore, China’s efforts to disrupt the cooperation between Taiwan and Somaliland were described as baseless.
The office specifically highlighted that United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 never mentioned Taiwan as China claims, nor did it confirm that Taiwan is part of China.
“The resolution specifically concerned who represents China at the United Nations, but Beijing has wrongly interpreted it to reinforce the One-China principle,” Taiwan said in its press release.
The G7 countries have repeatedly voiced their rejection of any attempts to change the status of Taiwan, including any use of force or intimidation by China.
On the other hand, a statement from the Chinese Embassy in Mogadishu strongly opposed the maritime agreement between Somaliland and Taiwan, calling it a “violation of the One-China principle.” China claimed the agreement threatens China’s territorial integrity and called for its cessation.
Somaliland also strongly rejected China’s accusations.
Somaliland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdirahman Dahir Aden, said the agreement aims to strengthen the security of Somaliland’s coastline.