Chinese top legislator Wu Bangguo met with Macedonian President Branko Crvenkovski in Beijing on Thursday, pledging to further strengthen bilateral parliamentary exchanges.

 

Considering Macedonia as an important cooperative partner in southeast Europe, Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), told Crvenkovski China is ready to join hands with the country to further enhance political trust, and facilitate bilateral win-win cooperation in trade, culture, technology and other areas.

 

The Chinese NPC values its relations with the Macedonian parliament, Wu said, expressing his hope to enhance parliamentary dialogues and cooperation at various levels and between special committees, share experience in building democratic legal system in a bid to further cement bilateral ties.

 

Appreciating China's "important" and "positive" role in international affairs, Crvenkovski said his government highly treasures its relations with China, and will firmly stick to the one-China policy and support its peaceful reunification cause.

 

He added Macedonia hopes to enhance all-round exchanges and cooperation with China including parliamentary exchanges.

 

Later Thursday, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met with Crvenkovski, and both sides agreed to facilitate trade cooperation.

 

Wen applauded the joint statement signed by President Hu Jintao and Crvenkovski Wednesday on deepening mutually beneficial cooperative relations, regarding it as a new milestone in the development of bilateral ties.

 

With regard to trade relations, Wen said China attaches importance to its trade cooperation with Macedonia, encouraging local enterprises to explore cooperation opportunities and expand cooperation.

 

Crvenkovski also encouraged more Chinese companies to invest in Macedonia.

 

The Macedonian president arrived in Beijing Tuesday as Hu's guest. He will also visit Shanghai and Guangzhou during his stay in China.

 

(Xinhua News Agency December 7, 2007)