On Monday, December 29, 2025, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed strong opposition to Israel’s formal recognition of Somaliland as an independent state. China’s intelligence and military capabilities are fully aware of the seriousness and sensitivity of this Israeli perception, which directly challenges and undermines China’s Belt and Road Initiative. The breakaway region of Somaliland boasts Africa’s longest coastline and is located at a key maritime crossroads between Europe and Asia, making it a key element of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Furthermore, China views the Somaliland-Taiwan alliance as a direct threat to the “one China” principle. Beijing opposes any attempt to divide Somalia and is in a delicate position to counter ongoing Israeli plans.
To counter Israel’s plans against China following Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, China has set up satellite surveillance bases in Somalia, strengthened its intelligence capabilities, and is working to monitor the military and diplomatic activities of regional adversaries, primarily Israel, the United States, and its allies.
Recognizing the seriousness of the situation for China, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement. Spokesperson Ken Lam called on Somaliland authorities to immediately halt separatist activities and collusion with outside forces to destabilize the region. China has officially declared its firm determination to support Somalia’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, and regards the self-declared Republic of Somaliland as an integral part of a unified and sovereign Somalia.
Beijing’s political, intelligence, and security circles analyzed the significance and timing of Israel’s recognition of Somaliland in relation to the Gaza war, the forced displacement of Palestinians, and Israel’s plans to develop and integrate Taiwan’s T-DOM defense system with US support and integrate it with Israel’s Iron Dome system, primarily to counter China. They also saw this as part of broader competition with the great powers. China, for its part, is seeking to strengthen its presence in the Horn of Africa, primarily to counter the growing influence of the United States, the Emirates, and Israel, especially after Somaliland’s alliance with these countries has turned the region into a focus of major power struggles. Therefore, a Beijing think tank has developed a long-term plan to neutralize China’s rivals in Somalia and the Horn of Africa. This includes strengthening China’s ties with Somalia’s legal capital, Mogadishu, to strengthen its security presence in the region and counter efforts by China’s rivals to secure key trade routes.
China warned that any external support for separatist forces in Somaliland threatens regional stability and serves the parochial and selfish interests of some countries, in an apparent reference to Israel and the United States. China also stated that the Somaliland issue is an internal issue that must be resolved in accordance with Somalia’s constitution and not through external interference. China linked two events related to Israel’s development of the Taiwanese “T-DOM” air defense system and its integration with Israel’s Iron Dome system, as well as Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, to the conflict with China. China’s anger toward Tel Aviv has been intensified by tensions related to Taiwan, Israel’s militarization of Taiwan’s missile defense program and its integration with Israel’s Iron Dome system, and increased visits by Israeli officials to Taiwan and vice versa. Relations between China and Israel are experiencing further strain due to Taiwan’s close ties with separatist Somaliland, which is generously supported by Tel Aviv. China rejects this relationship and considers it a violation of the “one China” principle.
Regarding Somaliland’s strategic importance to China and China’s concerns over this recognition of Israel, primarily driven by American pressure targeting Chinese interests in the Horn of Africa, the concerns stem from Somaliland’s strategic location in the Gulf of Aden and the sensitivity of key trade routes. This will allow China to strengthen its influence and confront rivals such as the United States and Europe. Somaliland is an important strategic gateway and potential source of influence for China. But it is also an arena of intensifying international competition, complicating China’s position and requiring it to carefully balance strategic interests with affirmation of political principles. Somaliland, on the other hand, sees recognition of Israel and Taiwan as an opportunity to strengthen its international legitimacy and independence. This transforms the region into a battleground for geopolitical competition between China and Taiwan and its Western allies. Beijing aims to secure Somalia’s legitimate territory and economic interests and develop infrastructure within the capital, Mogadishu, while emphasizing support for Somalia’s full sovereignty and opposing any attempts at partition led by Israel, Taiwan and others.
Therefore, China’s resolute response to Israel’s incitement of unrest and discord, whether in regional territory related to Taiwan or in the Middle East with the Gaza war and Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, came through its support for the legitimate Federal Government of Somalia. China continued to provide development assistance to the Somali government in the capital, Mogadishu, and implemented several landmark projects within Somalia, including water supply in Hargeisa, Banadir Hospital, and Mogadishu Stadium. China also stressed that economic cooperation is carried out through official channels of the unified state.
