Mogadishu, Oct 13 (IANS) China has officially reopened its embassy in Somalia and accredited a new ambassador to the horn of Africa country recovering from years of conflict.

China, like other nations, closed its embassy and relocated its staff after the breakout of civil war in Somalia in 1991 when the country descended into a chaos and lawlessness that lasted during the next 23 years.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Ming announced the official reopening of the embassy in a ceremony in the capital Mogadishu Sunday, Xinhua reported.

The president hailed Somali-Chinese relations as historic and strong, saying that China has played a positive role in Somalia during its time of need.

The Chinese vice foreign minister said reopening of the new embassy will further strengthen the two countries' bilateral relations.

Somalia and China established diplomatic relations soon after the horn of Africa nation gained independence from Italy in 1960, and Somalia was among African countries that lobbied for a UN seat for China.