On December 17th, 2009, the Albanian Institute for International Studies (AIIS) organised the seminar entitled “60 Years of Sino-Albanian Relations: Continuity through Change”. The seminar was held on occasion of the 60th anniversary of relations between Albania and China. The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Albania, His Excellency Mr Wang Junling and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Albania Mrs Edith Harxhi addressed an audience of representatives of civil society, government and political parties, businesses, diplomats and the Chinese community in Tirana. After the introductory remarks of Dr Albert Rakipi of AIIS, the representatives of both states presented a retrospective analysis of relations between the two countries, an overview of the current framework of relations and future expectations.
HE Ambassador Junling emphasised the willingness of both governments to intensify relations and elaborated on the principles and areas upon which China builds its foreign relations: namely, mutual respect, equality and reciprocity, cooperation and mutual benefit. The Chinese Ambassador also expressed the gratitude of his country for Albania’s initiative and role to have China’s place in the United Nations restored. Furthermore, he expressed China’s support and encouragement for Albania’s EU integration process, remarking that Albania’s accession would open up a new space for relations with China in light of the latter’s special attentions to the EU.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mrs Edith Harxhi reconfirmed the importance with which Albania views relations with China and the Albanian government’s commitment to the ‘One China Policy’ and the intensification of current relations. In fact, since the 1990s thirty-five bilateral agreements have been signed with China, marking one of the most intense bilateral activities of the Albanian state in these years. In the political sphere, among many issues, Albania’s relations to China also relate to efforts to support the independence of the new Republic of Kosovo as a sui generis case of attainment of statehood in international law. Furthermore, Mrs Harxhi noted that it is the combination of pragmatism and traditionalism that will continue to successfully guide the relations between the two countries, rather than ideological concerns.
Mr Remzi Lani of the Media Institute and Mr Pirro Misha of the Institute for Dialogue and Communication, both non-governmental organisations that cooperated for the holding of this seminar, focused more on the social and cultural aspects of Albania’s exchanges with China and enriched the seminar with astute personal experiences and perspectives. Mr Misha in particular called for further materialization of cooperation between the two countries in the diversity of areas they have mutually agreed to – trade and investment, health, education, culture etc. Ambassador Petraq Pojani, a diplomat of vast experience who is currently directing the Albanian Council on Foreign Relations, also a supportive NGO of the seminar, brought to the discussion the close-up experience and the backstage of crucial moments during the restoration of the UN seat to the People’s Republic of China.
The addresses were followed by a session of questions and comments where the main issue raised was that of the further improvement of trade relations considering the interests and potentials of both countries.
This seminar came in a series of events that the Albanian Institute for International Studies organises throughout the year in order to contribute to the domestic debate on and familiarisation with security and foreign policy issues that affect Albania.
