Beijing, China(Mogadishu24) – China strongly criticized Taiwan following the attendance of its delegation at the inauguration of Abdirahman Mohamed ‘Irro’, the newly elected president of the breakaway republic of Somaliland, on Thursday in Hargeisa.

Responding to questions from local media, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning reiterated China’s firm stance on the one-China principle and condemned Taiwan’s actions:

“Let me stress once again that there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. The one-China principle is a basic norm governing international relations and a prevailing consensus in the international community.”

The comments followed reports that Wu Chih-Chung, Taiwan’s Deputy Foreign Minister, attended the event as a special envoy for Taiwan’s President-elect Lai Ching-te.

Mao Ning accused Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities of attempting to pursue “Taiwan independence” through foreign support, stating:

“The DPP authorities’ attempt to seek ‘Taiwan independence’ through foreign support and their secession attempt are doomed to fail.”

China Commends Somalia

China commended the Federal Government of Somalia for upholding the one-China principle and reaffirmed its support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“China highly commends the government of Somalia for upholding the one-China principle. We firmly support Somalia in safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Mao Ning said.

She further urged parties in Somalia to recognize the trend of history and adhere strictly to the one-China position, while opposing any form of official exchanges between Taiwan and Somaliland:

“China firmly opposes mutual establishment of official institutions or any form of official exchanges between Taiwan authorities and Somaliland.”

Shared Status of Taiwan and Somaliland

Both Taiwan and Somaliland operate as self-governing entities without international recognition. While Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991, it remains unrecognized globally as part of Somalia. Similarly, Taiwan is claimed by China as part of its territory under the one-China principle, a position widely accepted by the international community.

The attendance of Taiwan’s delegation in Somaliland’s presidential inauguration has further heightened diplomatic tensions, with China firmly reiterating its opposition to any official interaction between Taiwan and regions such as Somaliland.