Behind the Veil of Friendship

The book presents a political-scientific overview of Albanian-Chinese relations. It is an attempt to understand and explain the motives behind the close alliance between China and Albania and the role this alliance played in their domestic relations and foreign policy. Since both countries viewed the USSR as their political, ideological and military opponent during the Cold War, they moved closer together to withstand Soviet pressure. The book analyzes the personality cults surrounding Enver Hoxha and Mao Zedong, their ideological concepts, absolutist logic, and their harshness against their opponents. It examines the breakdown of Albania–China relations in the final phase of the Cold War and the gradual normalization of diplomatic relations in the post–Cold War period. The analysis covers various aspects of Albania's relations with China, from the establishment of diplomatic relations to the present day. The book focuses on topics such as ideology, nationalism, interstate relations, economic and trade relations, and military affairs.