China extends support to Somalia’s sovereignty amid Taiwanese official's visit to Somaliland

ANKARA

China on Thursday said it “firmly” supports Somalia in defending its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, appreciating the East African country’s “adherence to the one-China principle.”

“China highly appreciates the Somali government's adherence to the one-China principle and firmly supports Somalia in defending Somalia’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said, according to state-run daily Global Times.

She was responding to reports that a senior Taiwanese official would be attending Somaliland's president-elect's inauguration ceremony.

Taiwan's Deputy Foreign Minister Francois Wu is currently in Somaliland to attend President-elect Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi's inauguration.

Wu will also meet with outgoing President Muse Bihi Abdi and other senior officials, according to Taipei's Central News Agency.

The two East African countries have been at odds since Ethiopia struck a deal with Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland on Jan. 1 to use its Red Sea port of Berbera. However, Türkiye has been working to end tensions between the two countries.

“China firmly opposes any official exchanges or the establishment of official institutions between the authorities of the island of Taiwan and Somaliland, and China urges relevant parties in Somalia to recognize the broader trend and uphold the one-China principle,” Mao said.

China considers Taiwan its “breakaway province,” whereas Taipei insists on its independence.