Beijing(Mogadishu24)-Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has on Tuesday arrived in Beijing to participate in the China-Africa Summit, hosted by the People’s Republic of China.

The summit is expected to focus on key issues such as economic cooperation, infrastructure development, and strengthening diplomatic ties between Somalia and China.

Later today, President Hassan is scheduled to hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping to further discuss these critical areas of cooperation. Somalia has sent a large delegation, including several ministers, to the summit, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In 2018, Under former President Mohamed Farmajo’s leadership, Somalia joined China’s Belt and Road Initiative in 2013, a major infrastructure project aimed at enhancing global trade and economic growth, particularly benefiting countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe.

However, due to ongoing security concerns and Western influence in Somalia, the Belt and Road projects have yet to be fully implemented in the country, according to analysts.

Somalia’s partnership with China has historically centered on fisheries, trade, and long-standing diplomatic relations, with hopes that this summit will open new avenues for collaboration.