China says no country should support separatists after Israel recognises Somaliland The Chinese foreign ministry on Monday said that the nation ‍opposes any attempt to split ‌territories in Somalia, affirming support for the sovereignty of the East African country. "No ‍country should encourage or ‌support other countries' internal separatist forces for its own selfish interests," ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters at a press conference. Israel became the first ‌country on Friday ‍to formally recognise the self-declared ⁠Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state.