China and Somalia have launched a new joint research centre in Mogadishu aimed at promoting policy exchange, academic cooperation and training focused on China’s development model and governance experience.
The Centre for Research on Chinese Modernization was officially inaugurated on Wednesday at Somalia’s Diplomatic Institute under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The initiative is intended to strengthen Somalia’s institutional capacity through policy research, diplomatic training and structured knowledge exchange between the two countries.
The launch ceremony was jointly led by Chinese Ambassador to Somalia Wang Yu and Somalia’s Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hamza Haadow, alongside senior government officials.
Speaking at the event, Ambassador Wang congratulated Somalia on the establishment of the centre and outlined what he described as the key features and global relevance of Chinese modernization. He also highlighted priorities under China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, underscoring Beijing’s interest in expanding cooperation with African partners on governance and development frameworks.
According to a statement from the Chinese embassy, Wang said China was ready to work with Somalia to implement outcomes from the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit. He added that Beijing aimed to share governance experience with Somalia and other African countries while contributing to broader development efforts across the Global South.
Somali officials described the centre as an important step in strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing institutional learning. Hamza Haadow said the initiative would serve as a platform for improving dialogue, mutual understanding and policy exchange between Mogadishu and Beijing.
He added that Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs would support the centre’s operations to ensure its sustainability and effectiveness in fostering long-term cooperation.
The Somali government views the initiative as part of broader efforts to rebuild state institutions and strengthen diplomatic capacity after years of conflict and political instability. Training programmes and research collaborations under the centre are expected to focus on governance systems, development planning and international cooperation models.
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China has in recent years expanded its diplomatic and development engagement across Africa, including through infrastructure investment, education exchanges and policy dialogue platforms. The new centre in Mogadishu adds to a growing network of China-linked research and training institutions across the continent aimed at promoting knowledge sharing on development strategies.
Officials from both countries described the centre’s establishment as a milestone in Somalia-China relations, reflecting deepening political and diplomatic ties.
While supporters say the initiative could help Somalia strengthen its governance systems and benefit from international experience, analysts note that such partnerships also reflect China’s broader effort to expand its soft power influence through academic and policy institutions abroad.
The centre is expected to begin its first round of training programmes and research activities in the coming months, focusing on diplomatic capacity-building and comparative development studies.
