Edi Rama and Xi Jinping

In this chapter analyzes the profile of the two current leaders, Edi Rama and Xi Jinping. It highlights the ideological orientations, governance styles, and strategic visions of the two leaders of Albania and China. Rama and Xi took power at approximately the same time and have since governed their countries for more than 12 years. Xi reflects the continuity of the Chinese Communist Party's governance, grounded in a combination of nationalism and Marxist-Leninist ideology. Rama governs within a parliamentary democratic system, maintaining a pro-European and pro-Western line. The chapter highlights the major ideological differences between Edi Rama and Xi Jinping. Rama has distanced himself from the communist regime in Albania during the time of Enver Hoxha, defends the values of Western liberal democracy, leads a social-democratic party, supports Albania's NATO membership, and is fundamentally committed to Albania's integration into the European Union. Xi upholds Mao Zedong's ideological continuity, supports socialism with Chinese characteristics, and promotes the people’s democratic dictatorship under the leadership of the Communist Party of China.Jinping, Xi