By HAN News Desk
MOGADISHU — China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi is expected to arrive in Mogadishu for an official visit next Friday, marking the highest-level visit by a Chinese official to Somalia in decades, amid renewed political tensions in the Horn of Africa.”
Wang’s visit comes at a sensitive time for the region, following recent political controversy linked to Israel’s reported engagement with Somaliland, a self-declared region that Somalia considers part of its sovereign territory. Somali officials have expressed concern that such moves could undermine the country’s territorial integrity and regional stability.
The visit will make Wang Yi the most senior Chinese official to travel to Somalia since the 1980s, underscoring a renewed diplomatic engagement between Beijing and Mogadishu after years of limited high-level contact.
According to Somali government sources, the visit is part of China’s long-standing diplomatic tradition in which its foreign minister begins the new year by visiting African countries. Each year, China selects four African nations for these early diplomatic tours, and Somalia has been included in this year’s itinerary.
During the visit, Wang Yi is expected to hold talks with senior Somali officials, including President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Foreign Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi. Discussions are anticipated to focus on strengthening bilateral relations, enhancing political cooperation, and expanding collaboration in security, development, and economic sectors.
China and Somalia have maintained diplomatic relations since 1960, shortly after Somalia gained independence. Beijing has historically supported Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial unity, a position Somali officials view as particularly significant amid current regional disputes.
Security cooperation is also expected to be high on the agenda, as Somalia continues its fight against the militant group al-Shabab and seeks greater international support for stabilization and reconstruction efforts.
Analysts say the visit signals China’s growing diplomatic interest in the Horn of Africa, a strategically important region for global trade routes and security, and reflects Beijing’s broader effort to deepen political ties across the African continent.
Somali authorities have tightened security measures in Mogadishu ahead of the visit, though no specific threats have been announced.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry has not yet released full details of Wang Yi’s itinerary, but officials from both sides say the visit could pave the way for expanded cooperation and future high-level exchanges between the two countries.
