By Senior Editor, China Africa News
Mogadishu-Looking ahead, Somalia and China are not merely celebrating a milestone they are sketching out a vision for a future defined by deeper economic cooperation, shared development goals, and strategic engagement across multiple fronts. What once began as diplomatic recognition in 1960 has grown into a partnership many leaders describe as both steady and forward-looking.
As Somalia invests in nation-building and global integration, China’s engagement offers access to technology, infrastructure investment, trade opportunities, and capacity building areas Somali officials say extend beyond traditional merchandise trade into technology, industrial expertise, and broader economic partnerships.
The anniversary events this December in Mogadishu saw Somali leaders reaffirm that the relationship has moved past symbolic gestures to practical cooperation with tangible benefits for ordinary people. Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre called the milestone a testament to “enduring friendship between our two peoples,” stressing China’s support for infrastructure, health, education, and public services that have helped meet both development and humanitarian needs.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, speaking in an exclusive interview, credited China’s consistent partnership since Somalia’s early independence with helping shape public goods that “continue to serve the Somali people” from hospitals to roads and airports and described the bilateral relationship as having no ups and downs, but rather a continuous trajectory of cooperation. He also pointed to China’s economic and technological rise as a model worth studying as Somalia pursues its own path toward stability and prosperity.
While celebrating history, both sides are preparing for expanded cooperation in sectors such as education, security, agriculture, and technology. Somali leaders have underscored the need to leverage China’s experience and investment to strengthen Somali vocational training, skills transfer, and industrial capacity building blocks they say are vital for long-term development.
The anniversary itself took on vivid, symbolic expressions of friendship. A carved piece of Hetian jade was presented to reflect the artistic and cultural dimensions of the bond between the two countries, underscoring that diplomatic ties are lived and felt beyond political arenas.
This year’s celebrations also coincided with high-level dialogues and forums. In Beijing, Somali officials joined merchants and government representatives at an investment and trade forum where Somalia’s Commerce Minister highlighted China’s capacity to contribute far beyond conventional trade, signaling a shift toward strategic, diversified economic collaboration.
Regional and international engagement is also part of the larger picture. In diplomatic conversations earlier in 2025, China and Somalia agreed to elevate bilateral relations to a strategic partnership, drawing from outcomes of broader Africa-focused summits and outlining shared ambitions in modernization, stability, and multilateral cooperation.
Even as the anniversary serves as a moment of reflection, it also highlights a commitment to mutual respect for sovereignty and shared principles. Somalia has reaffirmed longstanding adherence to the one-China policy, with its president describing the consistency of this stance as part of the stable diplomatic line that has characterised the relationship for 65 years.
For many observers, the next chapter will be defined less by ceremonial dirigibles and more by how this partnership translates into broad-based development whether through joint infrastructure projects, knowledge exchange, the integration of Somali businesses into global value chains, or educational and…
