Abstract
China’s increasing influence in Somalia results from geopolitical alignment and strategic infrastructural investment. With 65 years of diplomatic relations, China has strengthened its position through soft power diplomacy, development efforts and strategic engagement of Somalia’s alignment with the ‘One-China Policy’. China portrays itself as a development partner, but its expanding influence in Somalia’s precarious security situation begs the question of its long-term objectives. Somalia is a crucial test case for how China strikes a balance between investments, diplomatic efforts and non-interference in conflict areas as Beijing looks to expand its footprint across East Africa through the Belt and Road Initiative.
Keywords: One-China Policy, Strategic Partnership, Al-Shabaab, East Africa, Somalia
