By Goth Mohamed Goth
MOGADISHU — The Chinese Embassy in Somalia has issued a sharp rebuke against recent comments made by the leader of the Somaliland region regarding Taiwan, calling the statements a blatant violation of international norms and a serious infringement on Chinese sovereignty.
In a statement released by an Embassy spokesperson, China responded to recent remarks made by Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro), the leader of the Somaliland region, during a visit to the United States.
”Blatant Violation” of One-China Principle
The Embassy stated that the Somaliland regional authority’s actions “blatantly violated the one-China principle and seriously infringed upon China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.” The Chinese government expressed its “resolute opposition” and “severe condemnation” of the remarks.
The statement emphasized that the one-China principle is a “widely-recognized norm in international relations and a prevailing international consensus.” It reiterated China’s longstanding position that there is only one China in the world, that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, and that the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China.
”Taiwan has never been a country and will never be a country,” the spokesperson said, urging “those few politicians to see the real picture” and warning that crossing the line on the Taiwan question will lead to “serious consequences.”
Reciprocal Support for Somali Sovereignty
In a notable diplomatic exchange, the Chinese Embassy used the statement to reaffirm its stance on the status of Somaliland itself. The statement explicitly declared that “Somaliland is an inalienable part of Somalia’s territory.”
China stated it “firmly supports the Federal Government of Somalia in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity” and opposes any move to split Somalia’s territory.
The statement draws a parallel between China’s own position on Taiwan and Somalia’s position on Somaliland, suggesting that the Somaliland authority’s outreach to Taiwan undermines both the sovereignty of China and the territorial integrity of Somalia.
