A delegation of the China-Africa Institute (CAI), led by President Ye Hailin, visited Somalia and Ethiopia for academic exchange from December 14 to 21, 2024. The delegation was invited by Somali National University (SNU) and the Centre for Dialogue, Research and Cooperation (CDRC), an Ethiopia-based policy institute. The delegation members included Ye Hailin, and Shen Xiaolei, Associate Researcher and Deputy Director of the Division of Political Studies, CAI.

The CAI delegation attended the 15^th Somalia Studies International Association Congress, which was co-hosted by the Ministry of Education, Somali National University (SNU), and the Somali Studies International Association (SSIA) in Mogadishu. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud inaugurated the congress, marking the first time in 34 years the event has been hosted in the city since 1989. The congress was held under the theme “Reconstructing and Developing the Somali Nation”, attracting more than 400 scholars from around the globe.

Ye Hailin delivered a keynote speech titled “Jointly Promote the Global Security Initiative and Implement the Spirit of the FOCAC Beijing Summit”. He underlined that China attached great importance to cooperation with Africa in promoting the Global Security Initiative (GSI). He said, the security and stability of Somalia is an irreplaceable part of the security of East Africa, the maritime security in the Indian Ocean and even the overall security of Africa. China will continue to support Somalia to maintain national unity, social stability, domestic security, support Somalia to make greater efforts in regional security affairs.

During the congress, Somalia’s Education Minister Farah Sheikh Abdulkadir and Somali National University (SNU) Rector Prof. Hassan Osman Ga’al met with the CAI delegation members. They expressed interest to strengthen communication and cooperation with the CAI in academic exchange and talent development. The delegation also visited the Chinese Embassy in Somalia, and held a meeting with Ambassador Wang Yu and Counselor Chen Wendi. 

Ye Hailin is presenting a bamboo slips gift to Prof. Hassan Osman Ga’al 

Ye Hailin is presenting a bamboo slips gift to Somalia’s Education Minister Farah Sheikh Abdulkadir (middle)  

From December 18 to 21, 2024, the delegation visited Ethiopia to initiate the establishment of a center for China and Africa studies and to foster collaborations with Ethiopian academic institutions and think tanks. The delegation also visited Addis Ababa University, the Centre for Dialogue, Research and Cooperation (CDRC), the Chinese Mission to the African Union (AU), the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia, and the Representative Office of China-Africa Development Fund (CADF) in Ethiopia.

At Addis Ababa University (AAU) , Ye Hailin and Dr. Samuel Kifle, President of the AAU reached principled consensus on the establishment of a center for China and Africa studies in Ethiopia. At the Centre for Dialogue, Research and Cooperation (CDRC) in Addis Ababa, the CAI delegation met with Abdeta Dribssa Beyene, the Executive Director of CDRC and exchanged ideas on academic exchange, joint research and co-publishing.

Ye Hailin and Dr. Samuel Kifle, President of Addis Ababa University (AAU)

Ye Hailin is presenting a bamboo slips gift to Abdeta Dribssa Beyene

At the Chinese Mission to the AU, the CAI delegation met with Ambassador Hu Changchun, Head of the Chinese Mission to the AU and Minister Counsellor He Youlin to discuss the establishment of the center for China and Africa studies in Ethiopia, China’s partnership with the AU and Africa countries and other topics. At the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia, the delegation had an in-depth communication with Ambassador Chen Hai and Counselor Xue Wei. Ye Hailin gave a lecture on the situation in Africa and China-Africa relations.