MOGADISHU (SD) – China’s Special Envoy to the Horn of Africa, Xue Bing, has threatened not to tolerate anyone harming the unity of China and Taiwan, urging Somaliland to reconsider its relationship with Taiwan.

The envoy expressed his government’s displeasure over the recent visit to Somaliland by Taiwan’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Tien Chung-kwang, who came to Hargeisa to attend the inauguration of Somaliland President Abdirahman Irro.

“We will not tolerate anyone attempting to undermine China’s unity,” Xue Bing said. “This morning, I met with the president, and we discussed Somaliland matters, expressing our astonishment at the recent invitation extended to Taiwan’s Deputy Foreign Minister.”

He also mentioned that both China and Somalia strongly oppose the visit, emphasizing that there is only one China recognized globally, and urging Somaliland and Taiwan to respect this.

“Taiwan is an inseparable part of China. Therefore, we oppose any relationship with Somaliland, and we urge Somaliland to consider the ‘One China’ policy,” Xue Bing added.

China and Somalia firmly oppose the relationship between Taiwan and Somaliland, two self-declared republics seeking recognition, which exchanged representative offices in 2020.