Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamad has praised China’s development model, saying it serves as a guiding light for underdeveloped countries. In an interview with China Media Group (CMG), he highlighted the strong friendly relations between Somalia and China, built on mutual respect and trust.
“China has always supported Somalia since its independence,” President Mohamad said. “The hospitals, stadiums, and highways built with China’s help are still serving the Somali people.”
He expressed gratitude for China’s support in security and other areas, noting that Somalia is now a strategic partner of China. The president lamented that Somalia had lost opportunities due to civil war and internal conflicts, but is now rapidly rebuilding ties with China.
President Mohamad praised Chinese President Xi Jinping as a strong and visionary leader, saying his leadership has propelled China forward and brought prosperity to its people. “China’s success is a model for many countries, especially underdeveloped ones,” he added.
The president highlighted China’s achievements in poverty alleviation, technological innovation, and economic development, saying they are “widely admired”. He cited examples of China’s assistance in introducing rice cultivation technology in Somalia, which has become a major agricultural industry.
“China’s openness provides opportunities for African countries to cooperate in various development areas,” President Mohamad said. “We are encouraged to strengthen our interaction and cooperation with China.”
The two countries have declared 2026 as the “Somalia-China Humanitarian and Cultural Exchange Year”, aiming to further enhance bilateral exchanges.