Tirana November 2022
Three Chinese diplomatic representatives, including Special Ambassador for China-CEE Cooperation Jiang Yu, Ambassador to Skopje Zhang Zuo, and Ambassador to Tirana Zhou Ding, called for strengthening cooperation between China and Western Balkan countries at a forum held on Monday in Tirana.
The forum “China and the Western Balkans in 2022: challenges, opportunities and potentials of cooperation” was held at the initiative of the Institute of Globalization Studies of Albania (AIGS). It was attended by 15 experts from academic circles, media, research institutes, business, etc., from Albania and North Macedonia. The attendees exchanged opinions on the significance of China-Western Balkans relations in the face of fluctuations in the current world and the existing problems that prevent the strengthening of these relations, giving suggestions to exploit the opportunities of cooperation in the economic, cultural, media, etc. fields.
Ambassador Jiang Yu welcomed the forum through a video message
Ambassador Jiang Yu welcomed the forum through a video message and emphasized that in the last decade, the exchanges between China and the Western Balkans have increased. “We live in a turbulent time, so we must work together,” she said, adding that China will open its door more to contribute to the global economy.
Ambassador Zhang Zuo gave a video speech at the forum.
The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to North Macedonia, Zhang Zuo, stated that ideological divisions, group politics, and opposing camps would divide the world, threatening the development of medium and small countries. He called for the consolidation of political trust and strengthening of coordination to jointly face global challenges, such as climate change, energy and food security, etc.
Ambassador Zhou Ding at the forum
The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Albania, Zhou Ding, underlined that more than 30 cooperation documents have been signed between China and Albania. He announced that many Chinese investors want to invest in Albania, and the researchers and experts in the two countries have maintained close contact. But, “we can do, and we must do more,” emphasized the Chinese ambassador in Tirana.
According to Dr. Enriko Ceko, the development-hungry Western Balkans can learn from China’s path to prosperity, sustainable development, and transnationalism. He pointed out that if the financing of 40 billion US dollars is realized, the Balkans’ economic growth could go up to 6%, creating about 1.5 million jobs. In the period 2009 – 2021, China invested about 32 billion euros in the region. The “One Road, One Generation” initiative can expand bilateral cooperation, he said.
Mr. Peco Trajkoski, founder and president of the Center for Strategic Research and Analysis (CSIA) of North Macedonia, listed the areas in which the countries of the Western Balkans can develop cooperation with China in digital transformation, such as the use of 5G technology, the creation of synergy between digital and green economy, etc.
The participants highlighted the importance of increasing human and cultural exchanges between China and the Western Balkans. “When people from different cultures and backgrounds get to know and understand each other – and gain the skills they need to contribute as citizens and leaders – they form the global partnerships that support security, economic stability, and tolerance,” said Silva Doci, an independent researcher. According to her, the emphasis on peace is part of traditional Chinese culture, which respects other cultures and differences between people.
The executive director of AIGS, Dr. Marsela Musabelliu, said that the main obstacle to the development of relations between China and the Western Balkans is the mentality of the Cold War. According to her, civil society actors, the media, the academic world, and the business world should come together to see the reality more clearly beyond the polarizing slogans. China has presented projects such as the “Belt and Road Initiative,” the Global Development Initiative, and the Global Security Initiative, which aims to realize a prosperous and peaceful world. “It is now in the hands of our countries not to lose the opportunities of mutual benefit, to create sound conditions for communication, and to intensify pragmatic cooperation in all fields,” pointed out Dr. Musabelliu.
According to statistics from North Macedonia, the total trade volume between this country and China in 2021 was 944 million US dollars, 23.6% more than in 2020. China is North Macedonia’s largest trade partner outside of Europe.
Meanwhile, the statistics of the General Administration of Customs of China showed that China’s imports from Albania increased by 102.6% last year. “Chinese investors are waiting for more favorable policies and want to play an even bigger role in the Albanian economy and the development of the region,” emphasized China’s diplomatic representative in Tirana, Mr. Zhou Ding.
Over the past decade, trade between China and CEE countries has increased by 140 percent, reaching 136.2 billion US dollars. This trade has a much higher growth rate than that of trade between China and the EU. China is already the most important trade partner and import source outside the EU for the CEE countries.
