TIRANA, May 30 – A forum, jointly organized by China International Exchange Association and China-Albania Cultural Association in the framework of The Belt and Road initiative, was held last Friday in Tirana.
A high level Chinese delegation headed by Ji Bingxuan, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly of the People’s Republic of China attended the forum, showcasing the importance China places on bilateral relations with Albania.
Praising the excellent relations that exist between the two countries despite being miles apart, Bingxuan said that Albania is welcome to be part of the development strategy, which aims to promote trade exchanges between Europe and Asia by reactivating the so-called Silk Road.
The Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21-st century Maritime Silk Road, also known as the Belt and Road, is an initiative proposed by Chinese leader Xi Jinping and launched in 2013.
According to Bingxuan, the building of the “Belt and Road” will help accelerate the improvements of Albania’s infrastructure, making Albania an important hub connecting Asia and Europe; give Albanian products easier access to markets in Europe and Asia, better leveraging Albania’s comparative advantages in international competition; and enable the Albanian people to enjoy more of the fruits of development, and thus better life.
Albania was represented in this forum by Arta Dade, on behalf of the Albanian parliament, Albert Rakipi Executive Director at the Albanian Institute for International Studies as well as several other MPs and media representatives.
Besides confirming excellent relations between the two countries and the importance of Belt and Road as a development initiative in their speeches, the participants also called for increased cooperation between academia as well as people to people connections.
Earlier that day, high Chinese official Bingxuan was received by President Bujar Nishani, who highlighted the need for the promotion of friendship and interstate dialogue at all levels and in all fields.
China and Albania also signed a five-year cooperation agreement in the field of culture signed by Culture Minister Mirela Kumbaro and the Chinese Deputy Culture Minister Ding Wei, which includes not only mutual participation in various movie and dance festivals, but also covers the culture heritage field.
The Chinese government is also sponsoring the publication of books translated from both languages to foster a better understanding of each other’s cultures.
In order to promote Chinese culture in Albania, Confucius Institute was established in 2013 which counts over 300 students who have attended courses on Chinese language and culture.
Culture Minister Kumbaro said that cultural exchanges with China are part of the 16+1 initiative.
The initiative was created in 2013 to boost Chinese cooperation with 16 Central and East European countries, including culture.
