China has become one of the latest countries to express strong opposition to Israel's recognition of Somaliland as an independent state, warning that the move risks increasing tensions in the Horn of Africa and "threatening regional peace and stability".

Speaking at an emergency meeting at the United Nations Security Council, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, Sun Lei, said China "expresses grave concerns" and "firmly opposes" Israel's announcement on Friday that it had formally recognized Somaliland and established full diplomatic relations with it.

Somaliland declared its independence from Somalia in 1991 and had not gained recognition from any UN member state until Friday. Israel became the first country to formally recognize Somaliland as an independent state, a move that Sun said "has further increased the tensions in the Horn of Africa, drawing immediate and strong criticism and condemnations from regional organizations."

The backlash unfolded over the weekend with more than 20 mostly Middle Eastern and African countries, as well as international and regional bodies, condemning Israel's decision.

These include Somalia's federal government, Egypt, Turkiye, Djibouti, the African Union, the Arab League, the Gulf Cooperation Council, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, and the European Union, among others, which have rejected the recognition and have reaffirmed support for Somalia's territorial integrity.

"Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity is a fundamental principle of the UN Charter and an unshakable cornerstone of international law and international relations, which all UN member states must strictly observe," said Sun, stressing that "Somaliland is an integral part of Somali territory".

"China firmly supports Somalia's sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, and opposes any act to split its territory," he said, adding that China has always maintained that the Somaliland issue is "entirely Somalia's internal affairs".

"It should be resolved by the Somali people in a way consistent with the national conditions and the Constitution," he said.

He urged countries outside the region to "cease unwarranted interference".

"No country should aid and abet separatist forces in other countries to further their own geopolitical interests," he said, urging the relevant country to "act responsibly, strictly observe the UN Charter and international law, heed the call of the international community, immediately rectify its erroneous act and eliminate the negative effects as soon as possible".

China urges Somaliland authorities to "immediately stop separatist activities and collusion with external forces, and return to the track of dialogue with the federal government of Somalia as soon as possible to avoid further threatening regional peace and stability and opening the door to more tensions and conflicts".

He called on the international community to assist the country in strengthening counter-terrorism capabilities, advancing political dialogue and promoting national unity.

China, Sun added, will continue to "firmly support Somalia's sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, uphold fairness and justice, and together with the international community, work harder for peace, stability, development and prosperity in Somalia and the wider region".