China has firmly opposed Israel’s recent decision to recognize Somaliland as a sovereign state, calling the move a serious violation of Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The statement places China among a growing number of countries that have openly rejected the recognition, warning that foreign involvement in the issue risks deepening instability in the Horn of Africa. The development has sparked widespread international debate and concern, particularly across Africa and the Middle East.
China’s clear stand on Somalia’s sovereignty
China has made it clear that it fully supports Somalia’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. In this regard, an official response from the foreign ministry said that Somaliland remains an inseparable part of Somalia and not a separate country. From Beijing’s perspective, any action that seeks to divide Somalia’s territory violates international norms and the basic principles of state sovereignty.
At the same time, the Chinese government emphasized that Somalia alone must handle the Somaliland issue as an internal matter. It further stated that the Somali people should decide the region’s status in line with the country’s national conditions and legal framework. Accordingly, China firmly rejected any outside involvement that could influence the process or undermine Somalia’s unity.
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In addition, officials said that many countries and regional groups have already condemned Israel’s recognition of Somaliland. According to China, this global pushback shows that the international community largely agrees on respecting Somalia’s territorial integrity. As a result, Beijing aligned itself with these views, reinforcing its long-standing policy of opposing separatism and supporting internationally recognized borders.
More broadly, China’s position reflects its foreign policy, which prioritizes non-interference in the internal affairs of other nations. By taking this stance, Beijing reaffirmed that lasting stability and peace depend on countries respecting each other’s sovereignty and avoiding actions that encourage division or conflict.
Opposition to foreign interference and separatism
China went beyond rejecting Israel’s recognition of Somaliland by strongly criticizing what it called foreign interference in Somalia’s internal affairs. Officials warned that countries outside the region should avoid getting involved in issues that do not directly concern them, saying such actions only raise tensions and make peaceful solutions more difficult.
China’s foreign ministry stressed that no country should support or encourage separatist movements in other nations for political or strategic reasons. Beijing said this kind of behavior damages international trust and threatens regional stability. It also warned that backing separatist forces can lead to long-term problems, including ongoing conflict and weaker state authority.
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China addressed Somaliland’s leadership directly, urging them to reconsider their current path. The message called on them to stop pursuing separatist actions and to avoid close cooperation with external powers. According to China, relying on foreign support in the push for independence could result in greater isolation and instability rather than recognition or lasting peace.
This strong stance reflects China’s wider concerns about the global impact of separatism. Beijing has repeatedly warned that supporting breakaway regions creates dangerous precedents that could spark similar disputes elsewhere. China believes the Somaliland issue should be resolved through dialogue within Somalia, without outside pressure, and with full respect for established borders.
International reaction to Israel’s recognition of Somaliland
Israel’s decision to recognize Somaliland as a sovereign state marked a historic first, making it the only country to officially acknowledge the breakaway region. As a result, the move quickly sparked strong reactions from governments across Africa and the Middle East, many of which rejected the decision and issued statements opposing it.
In response, several countries argued that recognizing Somaliland violates Somalia’s sovereignty and goes against international consensus. At the same time, regional organizations and multinational blocs raised concerns, warning that the move could increase tensions in an already fragile region. Together, these reactions show how sensitive the Somaliland issue remains and how much international support Somalia continues to receive.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 after the collapse of Somalia’s central government. Since then, it has functioned as a de facto independent region with its own political institutions, administrative systems, and security forces. However, despite this level of self-governance, it had not received formal international recognition until Israel’s recent decision.
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Meanwhile, the Somali government has consistently rejected Somaliland’s independence claim, viewing the region as an integral part of Somalia. Somali authorities say that any direct engagement with Somaliland violates Somalia’s sovereignty and threatens national unity.
In this context, China’s opposition has added significant weight to global criticism of Israel’s move. Beijing, along with most of the international community, says Somaliland’s status must be resolved within Somalia’s sovereign framework through peaceful, internal processes.