Wang Yi Holds Talks with Albanian Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Olta Xhaçka

On October 29, 2021 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Albanian Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Olta Xhaçka in Tirana.

Wang Yi said, my official and special visit to Albania is to express our gratitude to Albania. Fifty years ago, Albania and Algeria jointly proposed a draft resolution that was adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly as Resolution 2758 with an overwhelming majority. The Resolution has solved once and for all the issue of China's representation in the UN in political, legal and procedural terms. This marked the return of China, which accounts for a quarter of the world's population, to the international family and made the UN truly become the most universal, representative and authoritative international organization. Since then, the one-China principle has become the broad consensus of the international community and the universally observed basic norms governing international relations. As a country that values friendship and tradition, China always remembers the righteous acts of Albania and is willing to continue carrying forward the traditional friendship between the two countries in the new historical period.

Wang Yi said, over the past 50 years, China has always respected Albania's sovereignty and independence of choosing the development path that suits its national conditions. China is willing to deepen understanding and mutual support with Albania, inject new impetus into bilateral relations, explore new ways for bilateral cooperation, and add new dimensions to the traditional friendship.

Xhaçka warmly congratulated China on the 50th anniversary of the restoration of the lawful seat in the UN. Xhaçka said, she is very pleased to receive Wang Yi in this significant year and jointly commemorate the historical event of great significance. Albania always adheres to the one-China principle, respects China's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and abides by the basic norms governing international relations of non-interference in internal affairs. China is an important and special partner for Albania. Albania thanks China for its long-term and selfless help to Albania's economic and social development, and for its strong support for Albania's earthquake relief and fight against the pandemic. Albania-China relations have maintained a good momentum of development, and China has become Albania's third-largest trading partner. Albania is willing to make joint efforts with China to strengthen high-level exchanges, foster new growth areas for cooperation, and deliver new progress for bilateral ties.

Both sides exchanged views on Belt and Road (BRI) cooperation and China-Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) cooperation. Wang Yi said, the BRI upholds the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, pursues open, clean and green cooperation, reaches toward high standards, sustainability and the improvement of public well-being, and has become an important international cooperation platform. China-CEEC cooperation is an important component of China-Europe relations, and it is a necessary supplement for China-Europe cooperation. China appreciates Albania's active participation in the joint building of the Belt and Road and the China-CEEC cooperation, and China is willing to work with Albania to advance cooperation to better benefit the people of both sides. Xhaçka said, Albania spoke positively of the significant role of the BRI and China-CEEC cooperation for Albania's economic development. Albania stands ready to work with China to tap cooperation potential and promote bilateral and multilateral cooperation to achieve new results.

The two sides agreed to deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields such as fighting against the pandemic, people-to-people exchange, localities, education and tourism. Wang Yi said, China has been fulfilling its commitment to make COVID-19 vaccines a global public good. China has provided more than 1.6 billion doses of vaccines to the world, and over 120 countries have approved the use of Chinese vaccines. China is willing to take the signing of the memorandum of cooperation between the two countries' Center for Disease Controls as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation in vaccines and research and development of medicines, so as to better protect life and health of the two peoples.

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern. Wang Yi congratulated Albania on its election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council from 2022 to 2023, and said China is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Albania in the Security Council, promote peace and security, and safeguard fairness and justice. Wang Yi said, China always believes that all countries are equal regardless of the territorial size, and no country is superior to others. President Xi Jinping emphasized that, international rules should be made and observed by all UN Member States, and should not be decided by certain countries. There should be no exception. China is willing to work with Albania to jointly uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, safeguard the international system with the UN at its core and the international order based on international law, and practice true multilateralism.