The People's Republic of China and the Republic of Albania established diplomatic relations on 23 November 1949. In 1971, Albania played a significant role in helping China restore its lawful seat in the United Nations. In 1996, the two sides signed the "Joint Communiqué between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Albania". 

From 2012 to 2019, the leaders of the two countries held multiple bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Meetings of Heads of Government of China and Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC). In 2014, Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama participated in the Summer Davos Forum held in Tianjin. In 2015, Prime Minister Rama attended the 4th Meeting of Heads of Government of China and CEEC in Suzhou. In February 2021, Prime Minister Rama attended the China-CEEC Summit hosted by President Xi Jinping via video link. In October 2021, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Albania. In July 2024, Special Representative of the Chinese Government on European Affairs Wu Hongbo visited Albania.

China and Albania have signed many cooperation documents such as the Memorandum of Understanding on Belt and Road cooperation, the Trade Agreement, the Investment Protection Agreement, and so forth. The two governments have established the Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation and the Joint Working Group on Cooperation and Investments. In 2023, China-Albania bilateral trade volume totaled US$1.27 billion, with a year-on-year increase of 45 %. 

Steady progress was made in China-Albania cultural and people-to-people exchanges. In 2019, Albania Radio and Television broadcast the documentary Time of Xi and the Chinese film Kids of Wuzhumuqin Town. The Chinese Lantern Festival, Sichuan Food Festival, and China’s dance show were presented in Albania. In 2020, to the best of its ability, China provided assistance to Albania to combat COVID-19 and recover from earthquake. In 2022, Albania actively participated in the Beijing Winter Olympics, the Chinese Cultural Week was celebrated in Tirana. The two countries signed the visa-free travel agreement and an MoU on bilateral tourism cooperation in 2023.

Key Documents:

1. Joint Communiqué between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Albania (January 1996) 

2. Joint Communiqué between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Albania (7 December 2000) 

3. Joint Communiqué between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Albania (14 September 2004) 

4. Joint Statement on Deepening Traditional Friendly Relations between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Albania (21 April 2009) 

5. Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Albania on cooperation within the framework of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative (May 2017)