Wang Yi: China to consistently support Somalia in safeguarding national sovereignty

China will consistently support Somalia in safeguarding its national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, and oppose any attempts by "Somaliland" to collude with Taiwan authorities to seek independence, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Sunday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during a phone conversation with Foreign Minister of Somalia Abdisalam Dhaay during his African tour.

Wang said China welcomes Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to come to China to attend the second China-Arab States Summit.

Wang emphasized that China is committed to a friendly policy toward Somalia, adding that the two countries have always upheld mutual respect and support, and the strategic partnership between China and Somalia will not be affected by any temporary event.

China will continue to deepen cooperation in areas such as economy, security and defense, regardless of changes in the international landscape, he said, calling for taking the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges as an opportunity to further consolidate the strategic partnership between the two countries.

Stressing that China's diplomacy has always firmly stood on the side of developing countries, he said China fully supports Somalia as the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council in January, highlighting the two countries' shared responsibility in maintaining international peace and security.

Dhaay thanked China's support for Somalia in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity, opposing all forms of separatism and terrorism, and achieving national stability and development.

He reaffirmed Somalia's adherence to the one-China principle, adding that the Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair.

Speaking highly of the four major global initiatives proposed by China, Dhaay said Somalia stands ready to deepen cooperation with China across various fields, promote lasting peace in the Horn of Africa, and jointly build a community with a shared future for humanity.