President Hu Jintao and Macedonian President Branko Crvenkovski exchanged views on furthering bilateral relations Thursday on the sideline of the UN's 60th anniversary summit.

Hu said political mutual trust between the two countries has grown steadily since the normalization of bilateral relations in 2001.

The past three years have also witnessed steady growth in mutually beneficial cooperation in economy, culture, education and health care, as well as more active exchanges between the local departments and non-governmental groups of the two countries, he said.

In international affairs, the two countries have shown mutual understanding and supported each other, said Hu.

He expressed satisfaction with the sound momentum for the development of bilateral ties.

He said China attaches importance to the development of friendly relations and cooperation with Macedonia and is ready to work with Macedonia to push forward bilateral ties.

Crvenkovski said the Macedonia-China relationship is a priority in Macedonia's foreign relations and his country is ready for increased cooperation and communication with China in various fields.

Crvenkovski reiterated Macedonia's one-China policy and said that position will not change.

Hu thanked Macedonia for adhering to its one-China policy.

China has always respected the path of development chosen by the Macedonian people and the Macedonian government's policies made in light of the country's own specific conditions, he added.

(Xinhua News Agency September 16, 2005)