Bio/profile/achievements
Dr. Hodan Osman Abdi is the current Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Somalia to the People’s Republic of China, appointed in October 2024. She brings over 15 years of deep expertise in China-Africa relations, cultural diplomacy, and strategic policy development. Fluent in Mandarin and a recognized thought leader, she has consistently championed African voices on the global stage and worked to strengthen meaningful, people-centered partnerships between China and the African continent. Dr. Hodan Osman Abdi’s diplomatic career is guided by a commitment to cross-cultural understanding, inclusive development, and amplifying Africa’s voice in the evolving global order.
Key Achievements:
Founder and Executive Director, Center for East African Studies, Zhejiang Normal University (2017–2022)
• Advanced academic and cultural exchanges between China and East Africa, with a special focus on human capital development and regional integration.
Deputy Director, African Film and Television Research Center, Zhejiang Normal University (2016–2022)
• Co-directed the award-winning documentary Africans in Yiwu, which was screened on CCTV and viewed in over 100 countries, showcasing African diaspora experiences in China.
Curator, African Museum at the Institute of African Studies, Zhejiang Normal University (2016–2019)
• Designed and curated exhibitions that showcased African cultures and histories; facilitated guided tours for over 500 visitors from China and across the globe, including high-level diplomats, government officials, and academic delegations.
Co-Founder, China-Africa Business Bridge (2015–2018)
• Trained over 800 African students in cross-border e-commerce and placed them in internships within Chinese enterprises, boosting Africa-China youth cooperation and trade innovation.
Frequent Contributor to High-Level Forums
• Regular speaker and panelist at leading international conferences and dialogues, where she advocates for Africa’s priorities in global policy, development cooperation, and knowledge exchange.