The Symposium on Regional Dynamics in the Horn of Africa was held at Yangzhou University on April 9, 2026. The symposium was co-hosted by China-Africa Institute (CAI) and Yangzhou University, and jointly organized by the Gulf Research Center of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), the Center for African Studies, the Office of Humanities and Social Sciences, and the Center for Red Sea Regional Studies of Yangzhou University.

The opening ceremony was addressed by Professor Wang Chengtang, Vice President of Yangzhou University; Professor Tian Feng, Vice President of the CAI; Her Excellency Hodan Osman Abdi, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Somalia to China, and Professor Mohamed Mohamud, President of Somali National University. He Shanhua, Dean of the School of Foreign Languages of Yangzhou University, presided over the opening ceremony.

More than 30 Chinese and foreign scholars attended the symposium, representing institutions including the CAI, Somali National University, the Heritage Institute for Policy Studies (HIPS) in Somalia, Mogadishu University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, Yunnan University, Hunan University, Zhejiang Normal University, Yangzhou University, and Zhejiang Yuexiu University.

Prof. Wang Chengtang is delivering speech 

In his address, Prof. Wang Chengtang noted that Yangzhou University will take this symposium as an opportunity to further deepen cooperation with the CAI, Somali National University and other institutions so as to advance country and regional studies in the Red Sea Region and in Africa.

Prof. Tian Feng is delivering speech

Prof. Tian Feng noted that the Horn of Africa serves as a crucial lens for observing regional dynamics and the evolution of the global order. She emphasized that Somalia’s development and stability carry great significance for the region. This symposium will help deepen mutual understanding of the regional dynamics for Chinese and Somali academic communities, and provide valuable intellectual support for peace rebuilding and sustainable development of Somalia.

H.E.Hodan Osman Abdi is delivering speech

Ambassador Hodan said, the establishment of Somalia Research Center of Yangzhou University signifies a shift of China-Somali relations from traditional cooperation toward collaboration in knowledge and joint building of mutual understanding. This development will help foster a more authentic, multidimensional, and balanced perception of Somalia.

Prof. Mohamed Mohamud is delivering speech

In his address, Prof. Mohamed Mohamud noted that the Horn of Africa currently faces multiple challenges, including fragile governance, recurring conflicts, food insecurity and insufficient development. He expressed the hope that the Somalia Research Center of Yangzhou University will act as an important platform for deepening long-term exchanges between Somalia and China, and advancing regional research, peace and development.

He Shanhua is presiding over the opening ceremony

The unveiling ceremony of the Center for Somali Studies at Yangzhou University was held at the opening ceremony, followed by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Center for African Studies at Yangzhou University and Somali National University.

Ai Ping is delivering keynote speech

Ai Ping, Vice President of the Chinese Association for International Understanding and former Ambassador of China to Ethiopia, delivered a keynote speech titled “The Horn of Africa in my eyes: Experiences and Expectations”. He offered an in-depth analysis of the historical context of the Horn of Africa, and stressed that the current situation in the Horn of Africa, particularly in Somalia, should be understood within a broader historical perspective. He also called for integrating knowledge with practice, and deepening understanding of the region through field research and bilateral cooperation.

A scene of the symposium

Group photo at the exhibition  

Following the symposium, the participants attended the unveiling ceremony of the photo exhibition commemorating the 65^th Anniversary of China–Somalia Diplomatic Relations, and toured the exhibition.