China has ramped up pressure on countries not to engage with Taiwan as it seeks to assert its sovereignty claims, and both frequently trade barbs about using “dollar diplomacy” with loans and cash gifts in exchange for international recognition.
China’s Foreign Ministry said this week Taiwan was “fanning the flames to undermine the independence and unification of other countries, harming others without benefiting themselves” by hosting a senior ministerial delegation from Somaliland.
Speaking to reporters, Somaliland Foreign Minister Essa Kayd said China cannot dictate to his country.
“We were born free and we will stay free. We will run our business the way we want. China cannot dictate, no other country can dictate.”
Kayd added that they were open to dealing with anyone who respected them as a sovereign country and wanted to do business without any strings or conditions.
“I think that’s as clear as I can go on China.”
Somaliland Finance Minister Saad Ali Shire said his country had made no requests so far to borrow from Taiwan.
“There has been a flow of funds from Taiwan to Somaliland in the form of aid and in the form of investment, which we welcome.”
Taiwan has been all but driven out of Africa diplomatically by China in recent years, with only tiny eSwatini now maintaining full relations with the island.
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