On November 17, 2025, Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Affairs of the Foreign Ministry Hu Changchun, upon invitation, attended the Selected Historical Photo Exhibition Marking the 65th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations Between China and Somalia, themed "Together we sail, our friendship endures." The event was hosted by the Embassy of Somalia in China and organized by the China Photo Service of Xinhua News Agency. Diplomatic envoys of various countries in China were present.

Special Envoy Hu Changchun said that Somalia was the first country in Eastern Africa to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. Over the past 65 years, China and Somalia have stood together through thick and thin, supported each other, and engaged in sincere cooperation for common development. China is ready to work with Somalia, under the strategic guidance of head-of-state diplomacy, to tap the potential for cooperation, expand development space, strengthen multilateral coordination, and move forward hand in hand on the path to modernization.

Ambassador of Somalia to China Hodan Osman Abdi said that over the past 65 years, Somalia and China have upheld mutual respect and mutual trust, and the friendship between the two countries transcends time and space, delivering benefits to both peoples. At present, China's 15th Five-Year Plan offers valuable development opportunities for Somalia and other developing countries. Somalia is willing to work with China to carry forward the traditional friendship and continuously enrich the Somalia-China strategic partnership.