HARGEISA, Somaliland —(HornPost) The Taiwan Representative Office in the Republic of Somaliland has rejected recent statements by the Chinese Embassy in Somalia concerning Taiwan’s political status and Somaliland’s relationship with Somalia, saying Beijing’s position does not reflect Taiwan’s own position on the issue.
The statement followed comments issued by the Chinese Embassy in Somalia on Sept. 16, after Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro discussed Somaliland-Taiwan relations during his visit to the United States.
The Chinese Embassy said Somaliland had violated the “one-China principle” and reiterated Beijing’s position that Taiwan is part of China and Somaliland is part of Somalia. Chinese Embassy in Somalia
In its response, the Taiwan Representative Office in Somaliland said it appreciated President Irro’s support for the Taiwan-Somaliland relationship and partnership.
The office said growing engagement between Taiwan, Somaliland and other democratic partners could generate greater international attention and opportunities for cooperation.
Taiwan rejects Beijing’s position
The Taiwan office reiterated its position that the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the People’s Republic of China are not subordinate to one another and said the government in Beijing has never governed Taiwan.
“Taiwan is not part of China,” the office said, presenting the statement as its response to Beijing’s claims.
China, however, maintains the opposite position. In its Sept. 16 statement, the Chinese Embassy said Taiwan is an “inalienable part” of China and that the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing China. Beijing also described Somaliland as part of Somalia and said it supports Somalia’s territorial integrity. Chinese Embassy in Somalia
Dispute over U.N. Resolution 2758
The Taiwan Representative Office also challenged what it described as Beijing’s interpretation of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, adopted in 1971.
The resolution restored the lawful rights of the People’s Republic of China at the United Nations and recognized the representatives of the PRC government as the only legitimate representatives of China at the organization. It also decided to expel the representatives of Chiang Kai-shek from the U.N. and related organizations. Digital Library
Taiwan’s representative office argues that the resolution does not mention Taiwan by name and does not explicitly authorize the PRC to represent Taiwan.
The interpretation of Resolution 2758 remains a major point of disagreement. Beijing argues that the resolution settles China’s representation at the United Nations and supports its position that Taiwan is part of China. Taiwan disputes that interpretation and argues that the resolution concerns representation of China at the United Nations rather than determining Taiwan’s sovereignty.
Somaliland-Taiwan relationship draws Beijing’s attention
The dispute comes as Somaliland and Taiwan continue to maintain representative offices and develop cooperation in areas including health, education, agriculture, technology and maritime security.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists its representative office in Hargeisa, while Somaliland maintains a representative office in Taipei. MOFA Taiwan
The relationship has repeatedly drawn objections from Beijing, which opposes official interaction between Taiwan and Somaliland and supports Somalia’s territorial integrity. China previously criticized Taiwan-Somaliland cooperation and said it opposed the two sides hosting each other’s institutions. Chinese Embassy in Somalia
Somaliland, meanwhile, has continued to strengthen its relationship with Taiwan while seeking broader international partnerships.
Irro backs Taiwan-Somaliland partnership
During his Washington visit, President Irro highlighted Somaliland’s relationship with Taiwan as part of his broader diplomatic engagement.
The Taiwan Representative Office said it welcomed what it described as the president’s “rock-solid support” for the partnership.
The office also urged the Chinese Embassy in Somalia to stop what it characterized as coercive rhetoric and instead support peace and stability in the Horn of Africa.
The latest exchange adds a new layer to the diplomatic debate surrounding Taiwan and Somaliland, with Beijing linking the two issues to its broader “one-China” policy and its support for Somalia’s territorial integrity, while Taiwan and Somaliland continue to emphasize their bilateral partnership.
For Somaliland, the dispute underscores the growing geopolitical significance of its relationship with Taiwan, particularly as Hargeisa seeks to expand its international partnerships and engagement with countries and institutions beyond the Horn of Africa.
Prepared by:
Horn post staff
HARGEISA, Somaliland
