Chinese Ambassador to Albania Pang Chunxue used the event to highlight China’s economic and technological development and the strengthening of bilateral ties with Albania.

In her remarks at the event, she said 2026 marked the start of China’s 15th five-year plan for economic and social development, amid what she described as an increasingly complex and challenging domestic and international environment.

“During the first half of this year, China’s gross domestic product grew by 4.7%, an increase of nearly 500 billion dollars, the largest growth recorded in the past five years compared with the same period last year,” Ambassador Pang Chunxue said.

According to her, China’s economy had effectively weathered external shocks and domestic difficulties while maintaining steady growth, with new momentum driven by structural changes, innovation and technology.

Pang Chunxue also highlighted China’s performance in scientific and technological innovation, saying the country had entered the top 10 of the Global Innovation Index for the first time.

“For three consecutive years, China has ranked first in the world in the number of the world’s top 100 science and technology innovation clusters,” she said.

The Chinese diplomat described these developments as part of China’s broader economic transformation and modernization, with a growing focus on innovation, technology and new drivers of growth.

The Chinese Ambassador also praised the development of bilateral relations and growing economic cooperation with Albania. Trade between the two countries was valued at around 1.6 billion euros in 2025, up about 21% year-on-year, she said, adding that China remained Albania’s second-largest trading partner.

She said bilateral relations had gained fresh momentum this year, citing regular exchanges between the countries’ leaders and reciprocal visits by legislative officials.

Ambassador Pang Chunxue also highlighted growing demand in China for Albanian agricultural and food products, including wine and honey, as well as increased participation by Albanian businesses in the China Import and Export Fair, known as the Canton Fair.

She said the number of Chinese tourists visiting Albania was also rising.

China would continue promoting high-quality development and opening its economy to international markets while expanding trade and economic cooperation with partners, including Albania, Pang Chunxue said.

“China is not only the factory of the world, but also the market of the world,” she said, adding that the Chinese market continued to offer opportunities for products from countries around the globe.

Against this backdrop, the Chinese Ambassador said China is ready to share development opportunities with its partners, including Albania, and to continue efforts to strengthen bilateral ties.

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Building on the historically close ties between Albania and China, the discussions focused on forging cooperative links between their respective national archives. The meeting addressed key areas of mutual interest, including document and knowledge exchange, joint cultural initiatives, advancements in digitization, and professional capacity-building for archival staff.

Recently, Rrokaj has also met with Kathryn Hammond, the Acting Deputy Chief of Mission of the United States in Albania, alongside religious leader Mark Allyn Bragg and representatives from FamilySearch. This collaboration aims to enhance public access to genealogical research and family history tracing. Enriching Albania’s archival collections and unlocking new avenues for Albanological research remain core pillars of the DPA’s mission. Consequently, institutional representatives continue to take proactive steps to acquire and preserve historical documents of vital interest to Albanian heritage and academic studies.

The DPA noted that collaboration with counterpart archives and international institutions aims to expand information exchange, preserve historical documentation and enhance accessibility for both researchers and the general public.

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The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation, highlighting opportunities for concrete projects. Key discussions included the donation of 10 electric buses to local government, an initiative that advances sustainable transport and upgrades public services for citizens.

Ms. Cano stressed that SASPAC will keep driving cooperation, turning international partnerships into real projects that benefit local communities.

On her part, Ambassador Pang Chunxue reaffirmed her commitment to deepening diplomatic ties through expanded dialogue and new investment opportunities. /p.s./

Attending the meeting was Ambassador of Albania to China Riza Poda.

Through joint efforts, we aim to expand our bilateral cooperation by exploring new partnerships. Building on our traditional friendship, we are committed to advancing our relations in alignment with our shared interests, said Spahiu.

“Let’s deepen our partnerships across agriculture, tourism, transport, education, and culture, etc.”, said the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly Klodiana Spahiu.

Meanwhile, Secretary Kaigou emphasized the importance of business ties and promoting Albanian goods in Dezhou Prefecture. By expanding cultural and touristic exchanges, they agreed that open dialogue fosters concrete opportunities to strengthen bilateral relations and drive mutually beneficial projects for their citizens and economies.

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During the visit, held within the framework of the periodic cooperation between the two Olympic committees, Ylli had a working lunch with President Gao during which there were also discussed on concrete projects for the expansion of sports cooperation between Albania and China.

Following the Memorandum of Cooperation signed earlier, Ylli also held a series of meetings with leaders of various Chinese sports associations, with a focus on technical exchanges and sports development programs.

During his stay in China, Ylli also had a working lunch with President of the International Olympic Committee Kirsty Coventry.

The talks focused on key issues of Olympism and the development perspectives in the Olympic movement. Ylli invited President Coventry to visit Albania on an official visit. /gj.m/j.p/p.s./

During this visit, the head of the Albanian football government was received in an official meeting by President of the Chinese Football Association Xu Jiren and his staff.

Accompanying Duka to the meeting was Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to China Riza Poda.

The purpose of the meeting was to promote relations and exchange experiences between the two associations.

Through a post in the social media, Duka appreciated the meeting as very positive and valuable, emphasizing that there were laid the foundations for taking in the future new steps of cooperation with the Chinese Football Association. /gj.m/r.e/a.f/p.s./

Prime Minister Edi Rama published today in the social media the decision announced during the World Congress of Biosphere Reserves in China.

“The Vjosa River has been officially included in the “Man and the Biosphere” programme as part of the world heritage list,” the prime minister wrote.

Meanwhile, Minister of Education Mirela Kumbaro, who followed the process when in the quality of Head of the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, expressed gratitude to the team of the Ministry of Environment, the National Agency for Protected Areas, as well as UNESCO experts, including the Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, with whom they visited the Vjosa Valley in 2023.

The inclusion of the Vjosa in this program aims to protect rich and healthy ecosystems, as well as promote sustainable development and biodiversity conservation in the region, giving the country international pride.

The inclusion of the Vjosa in UNESCO’s “Man and the Biosphere” programme crowned a 4-year work.

The Vjosa River, known as one of the last wild rivers in Europe, was declared a “National Park” by the Albanian government in March 2023 after years of efforts by Albanian and international environmental organizations to protect this river from the construction of hydroelectric dams.

The Vjosa River is among the largest rivers in Albania, especially in terms of its numerous water flows.

With a length of 272 km, the Vjosa flows from the Pindus Mountains in Greece to the Adriatic Sea. /j.p/p.s./

The rich cultural mosaic will combine centuries of history with contemporary creativity.

This week opens with the exhibition “Close as Distant Horizons”. The works of art of renowned painters Wu Jun and Lin Zhaoyang are put on display at this exhibition, offering a visual journey through Chinese artistic sensibilities.

In context if the Chinese Week, there will also be activities outside the capital.

The concert “Melodies Along the Silk Road” will be staged tomorrow, at the “Skampa” theater in Elbasan, bringing the essence of Chinese culture through music, thousands of years of tradition and modern vocal and instrumental expressions.

“Graceful Rhythms in Motion” will offer a panorama of Chinese culture through music, opera, dance and interactive experiences and will take place in the Hall of the University of Arts.

The public will also be able to enjoy the authentic flavors of Chinese cuisine, through a gastronomic journey offered by “The Taste of China”. The activity will take place on the “Murat Toptani” promenade, Tirana and like the other activities, will be open to everyone.

With 20 participating countries, an ever-increasing number of local and international artists, and a rich calendar of activities from north to south, the International Cultural Weeks 2025 will bring a special atmosphere to every corner of Albania. /j.p/p.s./

Accompanied by President of the Albanian Olympic Committee Fidel Ylli, the Chinese delegation met with Minister of Education and Sports Ogerta Manastirliu and discussed on the Memorandum of Cooperation between the two Olympic Committees and the investments made in sports.

During the conversation, there was also paid special attention to the support that the Albanian Government, through the Ministry of Education and Sports, is providing to the School Sports Teams Project, as an important investment for the future of Albanian sports.

Also, Ylli and Gao Zhidan signed a memorandum of cooperation with the aim of promoting further the exchanges and sports cooperation, as well as promoting mutual understanding and traditional friendship between the two countries and the two Olympic Committees.

This memorandum will encourage the exchange of experiences of sports professionals in different disciplines, training, as well as an increased attention to science and sports medicine, which will be realized through the Sports Universities of both countries.

President Ylli considered the signing of this Memorandum a historic moment for Albanian sports and that the assistance that China will offer, as a world superpower, will be very valuable for various sports associations and disciplines.

President Gao Zhidan praised the efforts of the Albanian Olympic Committee to cooperate with China and that the Chinese Olympic Committee considers the Albanian Olympic Committee an important partner. /gj.m/j.p/p.s./

Manjani appreciated this gathering as a good opportunity to exchange views on global economic developments.

“We discussed on the significance of Albania’s active involvement in the most important international platforms of economic and political dialogue”, she said.

Manjani noted that Albania’s representation and engagement in such forums is essential to strengthen Albania’s presence in the global arena.

“We aim to foster strategic partnerships and bring more development opportunities to priority sectors of our country’s economy”, said Manjani.

Davos 2025 Forum is being held from June 24 to 26 in Tianjin Municipality, northern China.

This year’s Summer Davos Forum has the theme “Entrepreneurship for a New Era” and is expected to gather around 1,800 participants from over 90 countries and regions./a.f/p.s./