Somalia and China: A story of Two Partners

[Deeq A.]

“During the civilization and development process of more than 5,000 years, the Chinese nation has made an indelible contribution to the civilization and advancement of mankind.” Xi Jinping

Somalia and China established diplomatic relations almost sixty-five years ago (14/12/1960), setting the foundation for one of the longest and most consistent partnerships in Somalia’s modern history. From the beginning, China’s policy of non-interference shaped the relationship. Successive Chinese governments maintained a stance of respecting Somalia’s sovereignty, which helped build trust between the two states. Somalia backed the PRC early and consistently Somalia recognized the PRC in the mid-1960s and built friendly political ties. At a time when many countries were still undecided, Somalia’s position was clear and supportive. That mattered because global opinion on the issue was still shifting.

Moreover, Somalia voted in favor of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 (1971). This is the resolution that removed the ROC from China’s seat and replaced it with the PRC. Somalia’s vote was one of the African votes that secured the majority. Africa as a bloc was extremely influential in that vote, and Somalia was part of that momentum.

Somalia participated in building wider African support The PRC had invested in relationships with African countries throughout the 1960s. Somalia was one of the states that supported that effort politically, which added legitimacy to China’s claim and pushed other countries toward recognizing Beijing.

My own memories reflect this early cooperation. As a child in the mid-1970s attending primary school in Beledweyne in the Hiiraan region, I recall how the city’s main hospital was largely staffed and managed by Chinese medical teams. This facility not only served Beledweyne but also extended care to neighbouring regions such as Galgaduud and Bakool. For many families, these doctors represented the most dependable access to medical treatment at the time.

Many Somalis born before the state collapse in 1991 remember other major Chinese contributions as well. One of the most significant was the construction of the road stretching from Jawil in Hiiraan to Burao in northern Somalia, a route of roughly 1,500 kilometers that became a vital economic and social link. By Somali standards, this road is comparable to the Trans-Siberian Highway, which stretches from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok in Russia and forms a highway network of more than 11,000 kilometers. China also supported a number of national institutions and cultural landmarks, including the Somali National Theatre, Banadir Maternity Hospital, and Mogadishu Stadium, which once hosted a full range of sports facilities and accommodation for athletes and visiting guests.

Educational cooperation has remained a central pillar of the relationship. For decades, China has offered scholarships to Somali students in fields ranging from the humanities and political studies to engineering, modern sciences and medicine. This long-term investment has helped generations of Somalis access training that was otherwise unavailable at home.

China’s support has also continued at the institutional level. Technical and material assistance has been offered across various Somali government sectors, and during times of crisis China has often been among the first countries to respond. Even recently, as drought once again threatens communities across several regions, the Chinese government provided a one-million-dollar contribution to help address immediate needs.

Somalia’s ties with China span infrastructure, health, education, and humanitarian support, and these connections have shaped the lives of many Somali citizens over multiple generations. The relationship continues to evolve, grounded in a long history of cooperation and mutual respect.

The core of the Somali-China relation is perfectly expressed by a 4th- century Chinese proverb from Ge Hong’s Baopuzi: “Nothing, not even mountains and seas, can separate people with common goals and ideals.”

Capturing the very essence of the Somali-China relationship: a connection of ideals that no distance can diminish.

In conclusion, China’s appeal to many African and other developing countries is often linked to the belief that it has never positioned itself as a hegemonic or colonial power. China’s own history of subjugation shaped a foreign policy that, for much of its modern era, avoided direct interference in the internal affairs of weaker states. It has not promoted regime-change strategies like those seen in Iraq, Libya, Syria or more recently in Venezuela. China also opposed Western colonial projects in Africa and Asia and offered political support to movements such as the ANC, the PLO and other groups fighting for self-determination.

China firmly supports Somalia’s independence and territorial integrity, even as some Western colonial powers undermine this unity to pursue access to Somalia’s untapped resources. In return, Somalia fully upholds the One China principle, recognizing the People’s Republic of China as the sole legitimate government of China and not recognizing Taiwan. This shared respect reflects a long-standing friendship and strong solidarity between Somalia and China.

Prof. Abdulqani Hassan Abdulkadir