China Foreign Radio in the Albanian language, the editorial office in Beijing

 Members of the editorial board of foreign Chinese radio in Albanian

 The Director of the Albanian Language Department of the Foreign Radio of China Qu Ning, who bears the Albanian name, Vera, in an interview for the newspaper Dielli, explains the history of the establishment of the Albanian section in Radio Beijing, today the Foreign Radio of China (CRI), transformations since 1969, and the efforts to preserve the original mission, to acquaint the Albanians with China, with its culture, history, present and future, and to make Albania as famous as possible in China.

HISTORY OF ESTABLISHING THE ALBANIAN EDITORIAL OFFICE OF CRI (CHINA OUTSIDE RADIO)

On June 6, 1969, at the request of the Albanian side and with the direct guidance and care of the then Chinese Prime Minister Chu En Lai, began officially the broadcasting of Albanian programs on Radio Beijing, part of the China Media Group (CMG). The first nucleus of the Albanian language editorial office was created by Chinese Albanian speakers selected from different sectors, as well as two Albanian specialists. Like any beginning, the first steps of the Albanian language editorial office were taken with difficulty. The members of the editorial board were all young people, who had no experience of speaking on the radio and preparing shows, as well as the working conditions, were not very good and there were few recording studios. But thanks to the tireless work, enthusiasm, and dedication, these difficulties were overcome and the Albanian language editorial office has been growing, becoming today an honorable part of the international media landscape in the Albanian language.

Vera Qu Ning

HOW HAS PROGRAMMING CHANGED FROM ESTABLISHMENT UNTIL THE DAYS WE TALK? MISSION, PURPOSE, FOCUS…

When the Albanian language newsroom started broadcasting, there were a total of six people, and now, in addition to the central newsroom in Beijing, which employs more than ten Chinese-speaking journalists and other technical staff, as well as for Albanian experts, we also have Albanian journalists working from Albania. Also, 50 years ago, CRI in the Albanian language started broadcasting only with a half-hour program on short waves, while now our radio "Ejani" broadcasts on FM 18 hours a day. CRI in Albanian has become an integrated media, and has already expanded to new media, having its own social media accounts, as well as a mobile application, as the "voice of China" is increasingly turning to "The image of China". In addition to the changes in form with the increase of the technological level, we have made efforts to increase the quality and variety of content, enriching the range of sections, but always maintaining our original mission, to introduce Albanians to the real China, with its culture, history, present, and future, and to make Albania as famous as possible in China.

 The first members of the Foreighn Radio of China in the Albanian language, 1969

RADIO COOPERATION AGREEMENTS WITH THE ALBANIAN STATE, ALBANIAN BUSINESSES AND ALBANIAN ASSOCIATIONS IN CHINA

For over 50 years since its establishment, the Albanian language editorial office of CRI has established extensive cooperation with Albanian media of various levels. Every year we send delegations to make visits or exchanges with the media in Albania. The development of CRI Albanian language broadcasts can not be separated from the support of Albanian counterpart media. In the future, I think we can expand this cooperation with the newspaper "Dielli".

CRI ALBANIAN LANGUAGE EDITORIAL AS A MEETING POINT OF DIFFERENT CULTURES AND EXCHANGES

The Albanian language edition of CRI (CMG) has tried to become a bridge between the two countries. It has gone beyond the traditional role of the media, aiming not only to be a reflection of bilateral exchanges, but also a promoter, active participant, and protagonist of these exchanges. Its "guests" have been high personalities of Albanian politics who have visited China, academics, scientists, businessmen, artists, athletes, students, but above all, those who have built bridges of friendship and cooperation between the two countries and two our peoples. Keeping these bridges standing and consolidating and tearing down walls that impede recognition and communication is one of our main goals.

THE ROLE OF THE ALBANIAN EDITORIAL OFFICE OF CRI IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND PRESERVATION OF THE ALBANIAN LANGUAGE

The Albanian language editorial office has always tried to be a "school" of the Albanian language. The employees of the editorial office make unremitting efforts to raise the level of knowledge of the Albanian language and the level of translation, based on the help of Albanian experts. It can be said that the editorial office of the Albanian language, together with the branch of the Albanian language at the Faculty of Foreign Languages ​​where all its Albanian-speaking employees studied, have turned Beijing into a kind of center of Albanology. This has been recognized by our Albanian friends, including senior officials. Thus, Prime Minister Edi Rama said: "Today, whoever wants to study the Albanian language extensively and deeply and write it in a completely correct way, must go to Beijing." While the linguist and translator Emirjeta Xhunga, part of the Albanian community in the US and a regular follower of our shows, said: “When I listen to your shows in Albanian, I am excited by your work, by the care to express clearly and fluently the messages of life, culture and marked achievements of the Chinese people. Your really high quality and impressive Albanian makes us Albanians feel like among our closest people. It flows clearly, naturally, and unadulterated from unnecessary borrowing. Such appreciations not only delight us but also give us the heart to continue our work and mission.