The forum “Observing Contemporary China from the Balkans: Dialogue and Reflections” was held in Tirana, bringing together diplomats, academics, researchers and media representatives to discuss contemporary China, its role in international affairs, and its relations with Albania and the wider Balkan region.
In her opening remarks, H.E. Pang Chunxue, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Albania, addressed China’s view of the changing international order, the role of the Global South and Beijing’s four global initiatives on development, security, civilization and global governance.
Below is the full text of Ambassador Pang Chunxue’s opening remarks:
Distinguished Scholars,
Dear Guests,
Good day to you all!
It gives me a great pleasure to join this Forum today. On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Albania, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all experts and scholars, and express sincere appreciation for the good organization by the Albanian Institute for Globalization Studies.
The theme of this Forum, “Observing Contemporary China from the Balkans”, is most fitting. How does China today view the world? How does the world view today’s China? These questions are hot topics. Answering these two questions well will help deepen mutual understanding.
How does China view the world?
Recently, President Xi Jinping attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit 2026 and the 18th BRICS Summit. He pointed out, nowadays major changes unseen in a century are accelerating across the globe. The Global South with its collective rise has become a key driver of world multipolarity. Meanwhile, the international landscape is volatile and fraught with changes and risks. Hegemonism, unilateralism and protectionism are resurging against historical trends. Nevertheless, the overwhelming majority of the world do not condone power politics, conflict and confrontation, or isolation and backwardness. What they want instead is to hold an equal place on the world stage through national development and international cooperation.
What should the international community do? China has put forward the four global initiatives.
Facing a widening North–South gap and a stalled development agenda, the Global Development Initiative advocates placing development high on the international agenda, fostering new drivers of global development, building a global development community, and pursuing stronger, greener, and more sound global development.
Facing frequent international conflicts and security dilemmas, the Global Security Initiative advocates upholding the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, resolving differences and disputes among countries through peaceful means, and working for a more balanced, effective and sustainable security architecture.
Facing the noise of the theory “clash of civilizations” and “confrontation between systems,” the Global Civilization Initiative advocates adhering to the principles of equality, mutual learning, dialogue and inclusiveness among civilizations, promoting the common values of humanity, and building the garden of world civilizations colorful and vibrant.
Facing the resurgence of the law-of-the-jungle and a worsening governance deficit, the Global Governance Initiative advocates sovereign equality, international rule of law, multilateralism, a people-centered approach, and action-oriented cooperation, and strives to build a more just and equitable global governance system.
These four initiatives reinforce and complement one another, bringing precious stability and positive energy to today’s world amid changes and turbulence.
Distinguished experts and scholars, you are leading voices in international relations and China–Albania studies. I look forward to your perspectives on China and insightful observations on China–Albania relations and China’s relationsip with Balkan nations in general. I especially welcome your insights and suggestions on how to further advance China–Albania relations and China’s cooperation with Balkan countries from every possible perspective.
Wish the Forum a resounding success! Thank you all!
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