Beijing – China has formally invited Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to visit Beijing and participate in the Second China–Arab Summit, a move aimed at strengthening political cooperation and high-level diplomatic engagement between the two sides.

According to China’s state-run China Daily, the invitation was conveyed during a phone call on Sunday between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali.

From a policy perspective, the invitation reflects Beijing’s growing interest in elevating its political engagement with Somalia amid shifting power dynamics in the Horn of Africa. The move comes as regional tensions rise and debates over sovereignty and external influence gain renewed attention.

Strategically, China appears to be positioning itself as a key diplomatic partner for Somalia by emphasizing multilateral engagement and summit diplomacy. This approach allows Beijing to expand its influence while reinforcing its image as a stabilizing international actor in Africa and the Arab world.