Wang Yi assures Somalia of firm support: strategic partnership remains unshakable

Wang Yi, Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of China, during his visit to Africa, has a telephone conversation with Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Dhaay.

In the interview, Wang Yi stressed that China and Somalia have a long-standing traditional friendship. China has consistently adhered to a friendly policy towards Somalia and the two countries have always respected and supported each other. He said the strategic partnership between China and Somalia will not be affected by any short-term events.

China also highly appreciated Somalia's consistent adherence to the one-China principle through concrete actions. Wang Yi assured that China would continue to firmly support Somaliland in safeguarding its national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and would oppose any cooperation between Somaliland and Taiwanese authorities aimed at promoting Taiwan's independence.

Minister Dhaay said that the Somali side greatly appreciates the fact that the Chinese Foreign Minister makes his first foreign visit to Africa every year at the beginning of the year. He described the traditional friendship with China and the development of mutual relations as a firm strategic choice for Somalia.

Somalia, he said, sincerely thanks China for its long-standing support in protecting Somalia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, for its opposition to separatism and terrorism, and for its help in achieving national stability and development. The Somali side firmly adheres to the one-China principle and considers Taiwan as an inseparable part of the People's Republic of China, while treating Taiwan-related issues as a purely internal matter of China.

Dhaay also highly appreciated the four global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping and expressed his willingness to further deepen exchanges and cooperation with China in various fields. The aim is to promote peace and development in Somalia, strive for lasting peace in the Horn of Africa region, and jointly build a community with a shared future for humanity.

CMG