MOGADISHU (SD) – The Chinese government on Friday donated military vehicles and equipment to the Federal Government of Somalia at a ceremony held at the main port of Mogadishu.

Commander of the Somali National Army General Odawa Yusuf Rage and officials from the Somali Ministry of Defense handed over vehicles and other military equipment to Chinese Ambassador to Somalia Fei Shengchao.

Federal Minister of Defense Abdikadir Mohamed Nur thanked the Chinese government for donating military vehicles to the country’s armed forces.

“We have a deep relationship with the Chinese government and we thank them for their support to the armed forces,” said Minister Abdikadir Mohamed Nur.

Speaking at the event, the Chinese ambassador to Somalia said his government would continue to support the Somalia’s armed forces and praised them for their commitment.

China’s arms donation to Somalia comes at a time when the two governments are angry over diplomatic relations between Somaliland and Taiwan.