On Monday, Somalia’s Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre met with China’s Ambassador to Somalia, Fei Shengchao, to explore ways to expand bilateral relations in politics, cooperation, security, economic development, and humanitarian issues. Somalia and China have had diplomatic connections for many years, with Somalia being the first East African country to establish diplomatic relations with China.
Prime Minister Barre commended China for its assistance, which included COVID-19 vaccines, humanitarian relief, personnel training, and scholarships for Somali students studying in China. China has also contributed to Somalia’s drought relief efforts by supplying over 500 tons of wheat and rice.
Somalia is a strategic friend of China, according to Ambassador Shengchao, who committed to continue supporting and cooperating with the Somali administration.