The African Union has reaffirmed its adherence to the “One China” policy, rejecting any recognition of Taiwan’s independence, during a visit by China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, to the bloc’s headquarters in Addis Ababa on Thursday.
Wang’s visit comes at a sensitive moment for the region, following Israel’s decision to recognise Somaliland, the self-declared breakaway region of Somalia. The move, announced on December 26, has drawn strong criticism from the African Union and has broader geopolitical resonance for Beijing, which firmly opposes any moves toward Taiwanese independence.
In a statement, the AU said it had “reaffirmed its firm commitment to the One China principle,” stressing that “there is but one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory.”
Wang is expected to travel next to Somalia, which has recently sought to deepen ties with Beijing and reiterated its own support for the One China policy. His visit comes amid speculation that the United States and other countries could follow Israel in recognising Somaliland’s independence.
During talks with African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Wang also discussed broader international developments. Both sides expressed concern over recent events in Venezuela and underscored the importance of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations, according to the AU statement.
The Chinese foreign minister is scheduled to continue his African tour with visits to Tanzania and Lesotho. Both countries have experienced strained relations with Western governments in recent months, with Tanzania facing criticism over a violent election crackdown and Lesotho impacted by steep U.S. tariffs.
