On July 11, 2018, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks in Beijing with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ahmed Isse Awad of Somalia who was in China for the 8th Ministerial Meeting of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum (CASCF).

Wang Yi noted that the CASCF Ministerial Meeting achieved a complete success. President Xi Jinping's speech, in particular, at the opening ceremony has charted the course for future cooperation between China and Arab States, which is warmly welcomed by all parties. Wang Yi said that China and Somalia enjoy profound friendship. Somalia is the first east African country to establish diplomatic relations with China, and one of the sponsoring countries who support the restoration of China's legitimate seat in the United Nations. In the hard time when Somalia suffered from war, China has always firmly stood beside the Somali people and supported the peace process of Somalia. China will, as always, support Somalia's efforts in safeguarding sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, and support the Federal Government of Somalia in promoting political process, pushing social reconciliation and improving the ability of governance. China stands ready to support Somalia in the peace and reconstruction process within its capacity. China welcomes Somalia to actively participate in the cooperation of the Belt and Road Initiative, and is willing to enhance cooperation with Somalia under the two mechanisms, namely, the CASCF and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

Ahmed Isse Awad expressed that Somalia warmly congratulates China on its successful holding of the 8th CASCF Ministerial Meeting, and highly appreciates as well as fully supports the speech which is of strategic and far-reaching significance delivered by President Xi Jinping at the opening ceremony. Somalia and China enjoy solid traditional friendship, and both sides have maintained friendly cooperative relations for a long term. Somalia thanks China's long-term strong support and assistance for Somalia. Somalia has always firmly adhered to the one-China policy, and resolutely opposed "Taiwan independence". At Present, Somalia is at the key stage of safeguarding national security and stability, advancing peace process and promoting economic development. Somalia actively supports the Belt and Road Initiative put forward by President Xi Jinping, and hopes to enhance cooperation with China in such fields as infrastructure construction, agriculture, fishery, human resource development, and capacity building through its participation in the process of the joint building of the Belt and Road Initiative, in a bid to boost its own development. Somalia eagerly expects that China will increase its investment in Somalia and is willing to provide full support and convenience in this regard.