Somalia, China Seek Deeper Media Cooperation as Information Minister Meets Beijing Counterpart

GOOBJOOG NEWS | BEIJING: Somalia and China have discussed expanding cooperation in media and culture as the two countries seek to deepen broader bilateral ties, Somalia’s Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Abdulfatah Qasim Mohamud said on Wednesday.

Qasim held talks in Beijing with Cao Shumin, China’s minister overseeing radio and television, focusing on cooperation, joint initiatives and the development of the two countries’ media sectors.

The Somali minister thanked the Chinese government and people for their reception and said his ministry was ready to strengthen cooperation in broadcasting, media and culture.

Qasim also highlighted his commitment to modernising Somalia’s information sector, including efforts to improve its capacity and adapt to technological changes in the rapidly evolving media environment.

The meeting comes as China continues to expand media and audiovisual cooperation with African countries, including through content exchanges, technical cooperation, journalist training and broadcasting partnerships. China’s National Radio and Television Administration, headed by Cao, has in recent months held similar discussions with media authorities in several countries.

Closer cooperation in the media sector could provide Somalia opportunities for professional training, digital broadcasting, content production and technological development, while also strengthening cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Somalia and China have maintained diplomatic relations since 1960 and have developed cooperation spanning infrastructure, trade, education, development and other sectors. Beijing has also backed Somalia’s reconstruction and development efforts and maintains an embassy in Mogadishu.

Media cooperation has increasingly become part of China’s engagement with African countries. Recent agreements elsewhere on the continent have included television and programme exchanges, audiovisual production, technology applications and training for media personnel.

The discussions in Beijing therefore come against a wider backdrop of growing China-Africa engagement in the media and communications sectors, as African broadcasters seek to expand digital capacity and develop locally produced content.

Strengthening the Somalia’s media institutions is also seen as important to improving public access to information and supporting the growth of a modern communications industry after decades of institutional disruption.

No specific agreements or new projects were announced in the statement on the meeting, but the talks signal an intention by both sides to turn their longstanding diplomatic relationship into deeper cooperation in media, broadcasting and cultural development.