By Marjana Doda
On the occasion of the National Day of the People’s Republic of China and in the framework of the Week of Chinese Culture, Argumentum.al had an interview with the Chinese Ambassador to Albania Mr. Zhou Ding.
“China and Albania have historical traditions and we must look towards history to build the future. This is what I address to my Albanian friends. The bilateral pragmatic cooperation has broad perspectives and great potential in all fields, economic, political and cultural,” said the Ambassador.
While emphasizing that China supported the European integration of Albania in the EU and the development of diplomatic relations with all countries, the Ambassador also said that China could make more contributions to Albania.
“There is a lot of potential between the two countries, but joint efforts are needed and not just from one side,” said the Chinese Ambassador in the following interview:
Mr. Ambassador, in the framework of the initiative “Albania welcomes the world!”, which is a result of the collaboration of the Albanian government with other friendly and partner countries, a series of international cultural weeks have been organized. Please could you tell us more about the program of the Week of Chinese Culture thanks to which Albania will learn of some fragments of a 5,000 – year old culture?
We have prepared many activities in the Week of Chinese Culture in order that Albanians can become more familiar with Chinese culture. However, one week is not enough, but we want to present Chinese cultural elements, such as Taiji Martial Art, Chinese food, etc. Albanians can get to know the history of cooperation in the educational, cultural, and other fields especially through the photos displayed in the exhibition today.
The most important thing is the enthusiasm that these cultural elements convey to the Albanian people. We hope that after the Week of Chinese Culture, we can organize more activities, and also more Albanians to visit China.
In addition, I hope that even more Chinese can visit Albania. I believe that the friendship between the two countries can be strengthened thanks to such exchanges.
– We are currently in the exhibition of friendly Sino -Albanian historical photographs. As the Chinese ambassador, how do you comment on this exhibition?
Our original mission for this exhibition is precisely to help more Albanians to know the traditional friendship between China and Albania.
In the 60s and 70s of the last century, China helped Albania with many projects, and more than 140 projects covering all economic and social fields were implemented. Many Albanians also went to China to study, work and visit. We must appreciate this history. China and Albania have traditions of valuing history, and we must look towards history to build the future. This is what I address to my Albanian friends.
Bilateral pragmatic cooperation has broad perspectives and great potential in all fields, economic, political and cultural. China is the second largest economy in the world and it wants to make important contributions to promote world peace and harmony, as well as Albanian development.
– This interview is taking place on the eve of the 73rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries. How do you assess these relations during these years, especially in the economic aspect?
Sino-Albanian relations are based on equality and mutual benefit. China supports the path of European integration of Albania in the EU and the development of diplomatic relations with all countries.
China hopes to make more contributions to Albania. As I mentioned, Sino-Albanian relations have a lot of potential. Currently, China is the largest trading partner in more than 130 countries in the world. While regarding Albania, China is the fifth country in terms of commercial exchange. There is a lot of potential between the two countries in the fields of trade and investment, but joint efforts are needed, and not just from one side.
– And finally, what is your message to young Albanians?
In fact, I have met many young Albanians. They are very smart and open. As I have mentioned, there are many young Albanians who have learned the Chinese language at the “Confucius” Institute and they have told me that they want to visit China.
Albania has wealth in human resources; the young people are very lively. This means that Albania has a lot of potential in this aspect. Albania also has rich natural resources. The Chinese embassy wants to strengthen cooperation with the Albanian side, for example in the field of cooperation between young people. I hope that many young people get to know China more, visit China after the pandemic.
Thank you!
/Argumentum.al
