China Reopens its Embassy in Mogadishu After more than two decades

China has reopened its embassy in Mogadishu on Sunday after well executed ceremony hoping that increased stability in the country will lead to closer bilateral relations.

The opening ceremony of the embassy was attended by Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Chinese ambassador to SomaliaWei HongTian, the special representative of United Nations secretary general Nicholas Kay and other diplomats.

Somali president said Chinese Embassy in Somalia had been closed for more than 20 years, but its reopening on Sunday and the appointment of the new ambassador will further strengthen the bilateral relationship of Somalia and China.

“China and Somalia had a very long relationship and a very historical and ancient one. And in modern times Somalia and China are friendly countries,” said Somali president.

China has in the past implemented projects and infrastructure including the national theatere, the hospital and universities in Somalia particularly Mogadishu.

China evacuated its embassy in Mogadishu in 1991, due to the Somalia civil war. Since then, China, like many other countries, has handled ties with Somalia through its embassy in neighboring Kenya.