Brief Historical Introduction to Albania and China

This chapter provides a concise historical overview of Albania and China, tracing the origins of the two countries through to the formation of the contemporary state. It is stated that the territory of present-day Albania has been inhabited since antiquity, starting with the autochthonous Illyrians and then shaped by Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, and Slavic influences. China is also one of the world’s oldest civilizations, with cultural foundations dating back more than 3000 years. The first imperial unification of China occurred under the Qin dynasty (221–206 BC). The Chinese state was consolidated during the Han dynasty (206 BC–220 AD), when Confucianism was institutionalized, and state philosophy and long-distance trade expanded along the Silk Road. The history of both countries is marked by decisive and transformative moments. The resistance of Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg (1443–1468), the independence of Albania in 1912, the communist regime in Albania between 1945 and 1990, and the transformation of the political and social system in 1991 are among the key moments that distinguish Albania’s history. The history of China is also characterized by special turning points, which are discussed in this chapter, such as the rule of the Qing dynasty (1644–1911), the Xinhai Revolution (1911–1912), the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, the Cultural Revolution (1966–1976), and the violent suppression of the student protests of 1989.