Somali and Chinese Defence Ministers Hold High-Level Talks in Beijing

BEIJING — Somalia’s Minister of Defence, Ahmed Moallin Fiqi, held a high-level meeting with China’s Minister of National Defence, Admiral Dong Jun, in Beijing on Thursday, on the sidelines of the 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum.

The meeting, described as friendly and constructive, focused on strengthening the historic relations between Somalia and China and expanding cooperation in defence and security. The two sides stressed the importance of cooperation based on mutual respect and the protection of sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Minister Fiqi briefed his Chinese counterpart on Somalia’s progress in security and stability, achievements in the fight against terrorist groups, and efforts to rebuild the Somali National Army. He said the Federal Government’s priority is to build a trained, equipped and capable national army able to defend the country and assume responsibility for national security.

Admiral Dong Jun commended Somalia’s progress in security, state-building and strengthening its national army. Minister Fiqi, in turn, thanked the Chinese Government for its longstanding and effective support and continued solidarity with Somalia.

The two ministers agreed to accelerate the implementation of existing understandings and further expand defence and security cooperation, with the aim of translating the strategic relationship between the two countries into practical measures that contribute to peace and stability in Somalia and the wider region.

Fiqi Affirms Somalia’s Commitment to One-China Principle

According to Chinese state media, Minister Fiqi stated that developing relations with China is a firm strategic choice for Somalia, and that Somalia firmly adheres to the One-China principle. He expressed willingness to strengthen cooperation with China in areas including maritime security, and to continuously elevate the level of relations between the two countries and their militaries.

The meeting was one of several bilateral talks Admiral Dong held with defence officials attending the Xiangshan Forum, including representatives from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Mauritania, and Gabon.

Background: Growing Defence Ties

The meeting builds on a series of high-level engagements between Somali and Chinese defence officials in recent months. In August 2026, Minister Fiqi met with Chinese Ambassador to Somalia Wang Yu in Mogadishu to discuss counterterrorism operations, the future of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), and efforts to deepen defence cooperation.

During that meeting, Fiqi thanked the Chinese government for its continued political and diplomatic support, particularly Beijing’s backing for Somalia’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity. The two sides also discussed ways to expand cooperation in defence and security, including support for institutional capacity-building within Somalia’s armed forces.

In September 2025, Somalia and China held their first ministerial-level defence meeting in nearly 40 years, also on the sidelines of the Xiangshan Forum, marking a significant milestone in the bilateral relationship.

China has also granted military scholarships to 31 Somali officers, further cementing the growing defence ties between the two countries.

Somalia and China have also discussed enhanced security cooperation more broadly, reflecting the deepening partnership across multiple security sectors.

Critical Note

The meeting between Minister Fiqi and Admiral Dong Jun reflects Somalia’s continued efforts to diversify its security partnerships and deepen ties with China. For Beijing, engagement with Somalia serves multiple interests, including securing maritime routes vital to Chinese trade and protecting Chinese nationals and investments in the country.

Somalia’s stated priority of building a capable national army aligns with China’s focus on supporting institutional capacity-building. The practical impact of these discussions will depend on the extent to which they translate into tangible support for Somali forces, including training, equipment, and technical assistance. The coming months will indicate whether this latest meeting marks a deeper shift in China’s role in Somalia’s security sector.