TIRANË, March 22 /ATA/ – Prime Minister Edi Rama hosted four Chinese students of the Albanian language in the latest episode of his Let’s Talk podcast on Sunday, focusing on cultural ties and linguistic cooperation between Albania and China.
The episode, titled “Girls of the New China”, featured young women who have studied Albanian, including one who has returned to Tirana as a diplomat at the Chinese embassy. Rama described them as representatives of a new generation from a country undergoing rapid transformation, noting the historical ties between the two nations.
Despite coming from China, all four participants have adopted Albanian names and demonstrated strong command of the language, impressing the government head during the discussion. Rama noted that official correspondence from the Chinese embassy in Tirana had consistently shown a high standard of written Albanian.
The students spoke positively about their experience in Albania, highlighting the opportunity to learn the language and immerse themselves in local culture. They also praised the country’s tourism offerings, including cafés and agrotourism, describing their stay as both enriching and educational.
Rama expressed interest in visiting rural China to better understand its history and traditions beyond major urban centres such as Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen. He also mentioned a desire to visit Tibet.
He said relations between Albania and China, once close, have evolved over time but remain friendly, while underscoring China’s significant economic progress.
Rama also referred to a forthcoming Albanian translation of “The New China Playbook” by Keyu Jin, a book aimed at offering a nuanced understanding of China beyond Western stereotypes.
Highlighting future trends, Rama stressed the growing importance of Mandarin, saying it is likely to become increasingly essential globally over the next two decades, as more Europeans and Americans study the language in response to China’s economic and technological rise.
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