Dr. Said Musse and fellow delegation members engaging with humanoid robotics at the Zhongguancun innovation park.
Returning to China is always meaningful for me. As a Somali graduate of a Chinese university and a Mandarin speaker, China is not simply a country where I once studied; it is a place where I built friendships, gained knowledge and developed a deeper appreciation of the importance of cultural exchange between our two peoples.
In August 2026, I had the privilege of returning to China under very different circumstances: this time representing Friends of China in Somalia – FOCs as part of a nine-member Somali youth delegation invited to participate in a one-week cultural exchange programme.
The opportunity was made possible through the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Somalia, which invited Friends of China in Somalia to nominate one representative to join the delegation. I was honored to be selected by FOCs.
Representing Friends of China in Somalia
Being selected to represent FOCs was both an honour and a responsibility. Friends of China in Somalia was established to strengthen friendship, dialogue and practical cooperation between the peoples of Somalia and China, particularly through education, culture, alumni engagement and people-to-people exchanges.
As the only Mandarin speaker in our nine-member Somali delegation, I also found myself playing an important role in helping the group communicate and navigate our programme. My previous experience living and studying in China allowed me to help bridge language and cultural differences, support other members of the delegation and contribute to making the experience comfortable and productive for everyone.
In many ways, this demonstrated the importance of alumni. Somali graduates of Chinese universities can serve as bridges between our two countries and peoples because they understand China while also understanding the aspirations and realities of Somalia.
First Stop: Discovering Shanghai
Our journey began in Mogadishu on the 6th of August, travelling through Addis Ababa before arriving in Shanghai on the 7th of August. Our introduction to the city included visits to Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street and the Bund, giving the delegation an immediate impression of Shanghai’s energy and urban landscape.
Exploring Shanghai during the cultural exchange programme.
The following day provided a much deeper exploration of the city. We visited Yu Garden, the Urban Planning Exhibition Center, the Site of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China, and the Oriental Pearl Tower. The day concluded with a cruise along the Huangpu River.
For me, these visits highlighted an interesting combination that is visible throughout China: the preservation of history and culture alongside rapid modernization.
The Urban Planning Exhibition Center was particularly relevant from the perspective of a young person coming from Somalia. Shanghai’s development demonstrates the importance of long-term urban planning, infrastructure and investment in creating modern cities. Somalia is rebuilding its institutions and cities, and experiences such as this encourage us to think about what lessons can be adapted to our own context.
From Shanghai to Beijing
On the 9th of August, after visiting the Jade Buddha Temple and Zhangyuan, our delegation travelled from Shanghai to Beijing aboard the G20 high-speed train.
Travelling by high-speed rail was itself an experience. Beyond simply moving between two cities, it offered the delegation an opportunity to see another aspect of China’s infrastructure and technological development.
In Beijing, the programme brought together technology, history and culture.
One of our first visits was to the Zhongguancun (Haidian) Embodied Intelligence Innovation Industrial Park, followed later that day by a visit to the Badaling section of the Great Wall of China.
The Somali youth delegation at Zhongguancun (Haidian) Embodied Intelligence Innovation Industrial Park in Beijing, exploring China’s advances in embodied intelligence and robotics
The contrast was remarkable: in a single day, we could experience China’s emerging technological industries and then stand on one of the world’s most famous historical structures.
For young Somalis, this combination carries an important message. Development does not necessarily mean abandoning culture or history. A country can protect its heritage while simultaneously investing in science, innovation and the technologies of the future.
Standing on the Great Wall
Visiting the Great Wall was one of the most memorable moments of the trip.
Said Musse at the Badaling Great Wall in Beijing — one of the most memorable moments of the cultural exchange.
Although I had previously lived in China, experiencing such places as a representative of Friends of China in Somalia gave me a different meaning. I was no longer simply observing China as a student. I was thinking about how these experiences could contribute to greater understanding between Somali and Chinese young people.
Standing on the Great Wall also reminded me that relations between countries are ultimately strengthened by relations between people.
Official diplomacy is essential, but friendships created through students, alumni, professionals, cultural exchanges and ordinary citizens give international relationships a human foundation.
History, Dialogue and Exchange in Beijing
Our final full day in Beijing included visits to the Forbidden City and the Museum of the Communist Party of China, followed by an exchange meeting at the embassy.
A Warm Reception at the Somali Embassy in China
Another special moment of our visit to Beijing was the warm reception extended to the Somali youth delegation by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Somalia in China. We had the honour of being welcomed by Ambassador Hodan Osman, who received the delegation and spent time engaging with us about our experience in China and the importance of strengthening relations between Somali and Chinese youth.
Dr. Said Musse during the reception at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Somalia in China with Ambassador Hodan Osman.
The reception gave us a sense of home while abroad and provided an important opportunity to exchange views on education, cultural diplomacy and the role young Somalis can play in strengthening Somalia–China relations. For me, representing Friends of China in Somalia, it was particularly meaningful to see the Somali Embassy encouraging young people to make the most of such international exchanges and to bring the knowledge, networks and experiences gained abroad back to Somalia. I sincerely appreciate Ambassador Hodan Osman and the Embassy team for their warm hospitality and encouragement.
After completing the programme, we departed Beijing shortly after midnight on the 12th of August, travelling through Addis Ababa before arriving back at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu at noon.
We returned home carrying much more than photographs and souvenirs. We returned with experiences, conversations, friendships and ideas.
The Importance of Speaking Mandarin
One of the strongest personal lessons from the trip was seeing again the value of language.
Being able to communicate in Mandarin allowed me to engage more directly with people we met and, more importantly, to assist the other members of our delegation when language support was needed.
Language creates access. It allows people to move beyond formal introductions and communicate more naturally.
My experience therefore reinforced my belief that more Somali young people should have opportunities to learn Mandarin, while Chinese people living and working in Somalia should similarly be encouraged to learn Somali.
Language exchange can become an important pillar of stronger Somalia-China people-to-people relations.
Reflecting this commitment, FOCs will launch a Somali-Chinese Language Exchange Programme in September 2026, creating opportunities for Somalis and Chinese to learn from one another, practice each other’s languages and build stronger cultural and people-to-people connections.
Alumni as Bridges between Somalia and China
The experience also strengthened my belief in the potential of the growing community of Somali–China alumni.
Across Somalia today are graduates who studied at Chinese universities and returned with qualifications, professional experience, friendships and an understanding of Chinese society. This community represents an important resource for Somalia.
Our role should not end when we graduate and receive our degrees.
Alumni can connect institutions, mentor prospective students, support cultural understanding, facilitate professional cooperation and help Somali organizations engage effectively with Chinese counterparts.
My experience during this delegation, particularly being able to assist my fellow participants because of my Mandarin skills and familiarity with China, was a small but practical example of what alumni can contribute.
This is also, why initiatives such as Friends of China in Somalia are important. They provide a platform through which these individual experiences and relationships can become part of a wider network.
This spirit will continue through FOCS’s upcoming Alumni Connect Afternoon Tea on the 27th of August 2026 at Arkaan Hub in Mogadishu, under the theme “Connecting Alumni, Creating Opportunities.” The gathering will bring together Somali graduates of Chinese universities to reconnect, share experiences and explore how a stronger alumni network can create opportunities for collaboration and contribute to deeper Somalia-China people-to-people relations.
For me, this upcoming gathering is a natural continuation of the experience I brought home from China: turning the connections, knowledge and friendships built through education and cultural exchange into an active alumni community here in Somalia.
As part of our commitment to strengthening the Alumni Community, FOCs is developing an Alumni Database to connect Somalis who have studied or graduated from universities and educational institutions in China.
Join the Alumni Community → Alumni Connect – Friends of China in Somalia
Participate our upcoming Alumni Connect one the 27th of August → https://acesse.one/fm173z1
Returning to Somalia With a New Perspective
I returned to Mogadishu with renewed motivation.
China’s transformation cannot simply be copied by another country. Somalia has its own history, culture, challenges and opportunities. However, there is value in observing how other societies have approached development and asking what lessons may be relevant to us.
For Somali youth in particular, the experience demonstrated the importance of education, technology, infrastructure, cultural confidence, international exposure and long-term thinking.
Old Friends, New Horizons
I am deeply grateful to the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Somalia for providing this opportunity and including Friends of China in Somalia in the programme. I am equally grateful to Friends of China in Somalia for trusting me to represent the organization.
Most importantly, I appreciate the other members of the Somali youth delegation with whom I shared this journey. Travelling together, learning together and supporting one another made the experience especially memorable.
For me, the trip was more than a one-week visit to Shanghai and Beijing. It was a reminder of what people-to-people diplomacy can achieve.
Every Somali student who studies in China, every Chinese visitor who discovers Somalia, every language learned, every friendship created and every exchange programme organized adds another small bridge between our two peoples.
I returned home convinced that Somali, China alumni have an important role to play in building those bridges.
The journey may have ended at Aden Adde International Airport, but the experience, and the responsibility to turn it into stronger connections between our peoples, continues.
Author: Dr. Said Musse, Somali-China Alumnus and Co-founder to Friends of China in Somalia – FOCs
