Somalia’s Foreign Minister Meets Students in Changsha, Strengthens Educational Ties with China

GOOBJOOG NEWS | CHANGSHA: A recent visit by Somalia’s foreign minister has galvanized Somali students in China, underscoring Mogadishu’s efforts to harness its diaspora for national development and deepen education ties with Beijing.

Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali met Somali University students in Changsha during an official visit aimed at strengthening cultural and academic cooperation with China. While the meeting was brief, its impact was pronounced, with students expressing renewed commitment to contribute to Somalia’s reconstruction.

Following the visit, several student-led initiatives have been launched, including mentorship networks and proposals for research collaboration between Somali and Chinese institutions.

“You are not just students, you are our ambassadors,” the minister said during the engagement, according to a statement from the ministry.

The visit also included stops at Yuelu Academy and the Institute of African Studies at Hunan University, where the minister highlighted the strategic value of education-based diplomacy and praised efforts to expand Africa-China academic collaboration.

The trip is part of Somalia’s broader push to engage its diaspora and invest in human capital while deepening international partnerships, particularly with China, a major player in East African infrastructure, trade, and education.