Walking on Tightropes: The Idiosyncrasies of Albania-China Relations (original) (raw)

2022, Interdisciplinary Journal of Research and Development

Socialist Republic of China has for some time been very influential worldwide through the Belt and Road Initiative, in the Southeastern Europe through its 16+1 format, as well as specifically in Western Balkans, particularly with its major investments in industry, road construction, debt trap diplomacy, Confucius institutes and other political, economic and cultural leverages. Albania could not have been the sole exception from the rule, although it relies less on Chinese investments and direct interference as some of its Western Balkan neighbors, save for the Republic of Kosovo. However, the Albanian case has received only scant interest, both in academic circles and scholarly works as well as in mass media and other means of public communications. This has mainly been based on the assumption that Albania is naturally immune from any Chinese influences, be that in political, economic, or socio-cultural axes. The present conference paper seeks to address this gap in the recent literature and growing scholarship in general regarding China’s continuing pervasiveness in the Western Balkans in general and Albania in particular. Among some of the most important Chinese investments that directly or indirectly impact Albania, we may mention inter alia the Blue Corridor, China Pacific Construction, the signed memorandum of understanding for the $1,72 billion for Albania – Montenegro highway, past investments such as Tirana Airport, potential concessions such as Shengjini port that has an already signed memorandum of understanding, the fact that China is Albania’s third largest partner (for 2020) and the increased areas of cooperation, including failed attempts such as the construction of the Arbri Road by a Chinese company, the investments in mine and extraction industries etc., which are all matters of concern and interest. The same goes for the political relations, media and cultural influences, social practices and particularly and of interest to the present conference overarching topic, the investigation of security mitigated risks vis-à-vis Western Balkans and Albania in particular.