Tirana（Albania）

Tirana（Albania）

[Overview] Located in the central-western plains of Albania, at the foot of Mount Dajti, Tirana is the capital and largest city of Albania as well as the country's political, economic and cultural center. It covers an area of 31 square kilometers and has a population of 862,000.

[Politics] Tirana is governed by the Municipal Council of Tirana and the city government. The Municipal Council of Tirana consists of 55 members, directly elected by the citizens for a term of four years. The city government is the executive body of Tirana, consisting of the mayor's office, the services and HR department, the economic affairs department, the public affairs department, the municipal affairs department, the legal system department, the public procurement department, the financial supervision department, the land inspection department, the project preparation and coordination office, and the public relations department. The incumbent mayor, Erion Veliaj, was elected in July 2015 for a term of four years and re-elected in June 2019 for another term of office.

[Economy] Tirana is the largest city and a major industrial center in Albania. The city's major industries include metallurgy, tractor repair, food processing, textiles, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, dyes, glass, and porcelain. There are coal mines near the city.

[Culture and Education] Tirana currently has three public universities. The city's important scientific and cultural facilities include the Academy of Sciences, the Palace of Culture, the National Historical Museum, and the International Center of Culture. Its landmarks include the Skanderbeg Statue in the downtown and ancient mosques.

[Relations with Beijing] On March 21, 2008, Beijing and Tirana officially became sister cities. Since then, they have engaged in frequent cultural exchanges. In October 2019, the two cities worked together to hold the fourth China-CEEC Capital Mayor's Forum in Tirana.

Culture: In March 2012, Beijing held the “Charming Beijing” photo exhibition, the Beijing intangible cultural heritage exhibition and the “Beijing Night – Songs Dedicated to the Albanian People” show in Tirana. In February 2018, upon invitation by the Ministry of Culture, Beijing Dance Academy performed a classical Chinese Nuo dance in Tirana as the prelude to the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the friendship between the two cities, receiving positive response from local people. In October 2019, Beijing presented a “Silent Beauty” dance performance to Tirana.

Gardening: In July 2009, Beijing planted 30 saplings of Chinese arborvitae (Beijing's official city tree) in Tirana.

地拉那市（阿尔巴尼亚）

【概况】地拉那市是阿尔巴尼亚首都，全国第一大城市和政治、经济、文化中心。位于阿尔巴尼亚中西部平原，达依特山麓下。市区面积31平方公里，人口86.2万。

【政治】地拉那市权利机构分为市议会和市政府，市议会有55名议员，议员由市民直接选举产生，任期4年。市政府为执行机构，下设市长办公室、服务和人事总局、经济总局、公共事务总局、市政总局、法制局、公共采购局、财务监察局、土地监察局、项目准备和协调办公室、公共关系局等单位。现任市长埃里昂·维利阿伊于2015年7月初次当选，并于2019年6月连任，任期4年。

【经济】地拉那是阿尔巴尼亚最大城市和主要工业中心，主要产业包括冶金、拖拉机修理、食品加工、纺织、制药、化妆品、染料、玻璃、瓷器等。该市附近有煤矿。

【文化教育】地拉那现有三所公立大学，市内有科学院、文化宫、民族历史博物馆、国际文化中心等重要科学文化设施。市中心民族英雄斯坎德培塑像和古清真寺是该市地标式建筑。

【两市交往】2008年3月21日，北京市与地拉那市正式建立友好城市关系，两市文化领域交流较为活跃。2019年10月，两市合作在地市举办了第四届中国—中东欧国家首都市长论坛。

文化领域：2012年3月，北京市在地拉那市举办了“魅力北京”图片展、北京非物质文化遗产展示和“北京之夜—献给阿尔巴尼亚人民的歌”综艺晚会。2018年2月，受文化部委派，北京舞蹈学院在地市进行了中国古典舞《傩·情》表演，揭开了两市结好10周年庆祝活动的序幕，表演受到当地民众热烈欢迎。2019年10月，我市在地市举办了“大美不言”精品舞蹈演出。

园林领域：2009年7月，北京市曾在地拉那市种植30株侧柏树苗（北京市市树）。

（Source: Foreign Affairs Office of Beijing Municipal Government）