China’s Taiwan Reunification Push Echoes Somalia’s Stand on Territorial Integrity

GOOBJOOG NEWS | NAIROBI: China has reaffirmed its claim over Taiwan at a historical exhibition in Nairobi, drawing parallels between its reunification agenda and Africa’s struggles against colonialism, while highlighting principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that Somalia has also invoked in its campaign to preserve national unity.

The exhibition, titled Remembering Taiwan’s Restoration, Advancing National Reunification, opened on Friday ahead of the 81st anniversary of Taiwan’s return to Chinese administration following Japan’s surrender in 1945.

Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan led the event, attended by diplomats, journalists, foreign policy experts and members of the Chinese community.

Guo described Taiwan’s restoration as a major outcome of China’s resistance to Japanese aggression and an important part of the post-World War II international order.

She cited the Cairo Declaration, Potsdam Proclamation and Japan’s Instrument of Surrender as historical documents supporting Beijing’s position that Taiwan is part of China.

China considers reunification a national objective and says it prefers a peaceful settlement. Taiwan, which has governed itself separately since 1949, rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims and maintains that its future should be decided by its people.

Former African Union Commission deputy chairperson Erastus Mwencha linked the commemoration to Africa’s own history of colonialism and independence struggles, citing Kenya’s Mau Mau uprising and liberation movements across Southern Africa.

“African freedom was not a gift; it was paid for in blood, from the Mau Mau struggle in Kenya to the liberation movements across Southern Africa,” Mwencha said.

He also highlighted China’s support for African liberation efforts, including its role in constructing the Tanzania-Zambia Railway, and recalled African countries’ support for Beijing’s representation at the United Nations in 1971.

Mwencha called for peaceful dialogue across the Taiwan Strait, stressing the importance of constructive engagement and regional stability.

Territorial Integrity

The event comes amid close diplomatic alignment between Beijing and Mogadishu on sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Somalia supports the One-China principle, while China has repeatedly backed Somalia’s internationally recognised borders and opposed moves to separate Somaliland from the country.

In a joint statement issued in January, the two governments reaffirmed their support for each other’s core interests, including China’s position on Taiwan and Somalia’s territorial integrity.

The issue has gained further prominence as Somaliland maintains ties with Taiwan, which established representative offices in Hargeisa and Taipei in 2020. Mogadishu rejects Somaliland’s claim to independence and considers the region part of Somalia.

China has also publicly supported Somalia’s position, saying Somaliland is an integral part of Somali territory.

While Taiwan and Somaliland have different political histories and circumstances, the disputes have brought sovereignty, self-determination and international recognition into sharper focus in the Horn of Africa and East Asia.

One-China Principal

Guo said Kenya had consistently upheld the One-China principle since establishing diplomatic relations with Beijing.

She cited a joint statement issued during President William Ruto’s state visit to China in 2025, in which Nairobi reaffirmed its opposition to Taiwan independence and support for China’s reunification position.

Support from African partners remains an important part of Beijing’s diplomatic efforts to reinforce its position on Taiwan.

Xinhua News Agency Africa Regional Bureau director Ying Qiang said the exhibition would also be presented in Tanzania, South Africa, Nigeria and Mozambique.

The photographs, he said, were intended to highlight Taiwan’s history and the wider international struggle against fascism during World War II.

The exhibition runs until October 29 as China and African countries mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations, with 2026 designated the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.

The event combines historical commemoration with a diplomatic message as Beijing seeks to maintain African support for its reunification policy and strengthen relations with governments that share its emphasis on sovereignty and territorial integrity.