Wei Hongtian

Wei Hongtian
Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Somalia
Assumed office
15 December 2014
Preceded by n/a
Chargé d'Affaires of the Embassy of China in Somalia
In office
3 July 2014 – 15 December 2014
Preceded by n/a
Personal details
Born China
Nationality Chinese
Political party Communist Party of China
Alma mater Somali National University

Wei Hongtian is a Chinese diplomat. He briefly served as the Chargé d'Affaires of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Somalia. In December 2014, he was appointed Ambassador of China to Somalia.

Personal life

Wei Hongtian pursued his tertiary studies abroad, matriculating at the Somali National University in Mogadishu during the 1980s.[1]

He is fluent in the Somali language.[1]

Career

On 30 June 2014, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei announced that China would dispatch a diplomatic team on 1 July to reopen the Chinese embassy in Mogadishu. He described the move as both recognition that the Somali authorities were making progress in their national reconstruction efforts and a symbol of the importance that the Chinese government attaches to its bilateral relations with Somalia.[2] On 3 July 2014, Chargé d'Affaires of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China Wei Hongtian presented his credentials to Foreign Minister of Somalia Abdirahman Duale Beyle at an event in the Somalian capital. Beyle similarly hailed the appointment as a sign of the nation's strengthening security and foreign diplomatic relations.[3] On 12 October 2014, the new Chinese embassy officially opened in Mogadishu.[4]

On 15 December 2014, Wei Hongtian presented his credentials to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as the newly appointed Chinese Ambassador to Somalia. He is the first such envoy after the reopening of the Chinese embassy in Mogadishu.[5] Foreign Minister of Somalia Beyle and Ambassador Wei subsequently held a joint press conference, wherein the officials pledged to further strengthen bilateral ties. As part of the local reconstruction process, Wei also indicated that the Chinese authorities were slated to implement various development projects in Somalia.[1]

In April 2015, Wei Hongtian met in Mogadishu with Foreign Affairs Minister of Somalia Abdisalam Omer to discuss ties between both nations. The meeting concluded with a signed bilateral agreement, which strengthens diplomatic relations and collaboration. As part of the treaty's stipulations, $13 million in Chinese funds will be earmarked for reconstruction and development initiatives in the economy, health, education and infrastructure sectors in Somalia. According to Ambassador Wei, the Chinese authorities are slated to continue their support for the Somali government's stabilizations efforts. Omer in turn commended the Chinese government for its sustained cooperation.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Weekly Press Conference on the Progress of the Government". Goobjoog. 20 December 2014. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
  2. ↑ "China to reopen Somalia embassy, sees strong ties". Reuters. 20 June 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  3. ↑ "China reopens embassy in Somalia". Shanghai Business Review. 3 July 2014. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  4. ↑ "SOMALIA: China officially opens embassy in Somalia today". Raxanreeb. 12 October 2014. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  5. ↑ "Ambassador Wei Hongtian Presented the Letter of Credence to the President of Somalia". Forum On China-Africa Cooperation. Retrieved 20 December 2013.
  6. ↑ "China donates $13 million to Somalia". Horseed Media. 1 April 2015. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
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