Visiting Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang met in Skopje on Monday with Macedonian President Branko Crvenkovski with both sides vowing to boost cooperation between the two countries.

"China attaches great importance to the bilateral relations with Macedonia, and regards Macedonia as a trust-worthy partner in the west Balkans," Zhang said.

Zhang pointed out that the bilateral relations between the two countries have made positive progress during the past 15 years, and that economic cooperation and exchanges in the fields such as culture, education and sports have witnessed new development.

Zhang said China is ready to broaden the areas of cooperation between China and Macedonia on the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit, and lift the bilateral relations to a new level.

He suggested the two countries should find new areas of cooperation, and push the companies of the two countries to develop cooperation in different forms and through various conduits.

Zhang expressed thanks and gratitude to Macedonia for its stance on one-China policy and its support for China's cause of peaceful unification with Taiwan.

Crvenkovski said Macedonian highly values its relations with China, saying that Macedonia will unswervingly stick to its one-China policy.

"We are ready to work with China to strengthen the cooperation between the two countries in the areas of politics, trade and economy, and international affairs, pushing the bilateral relations forward," Crvenkovski said.

Crvenkovski congratulated China on staging a wonderful Olympic Games in Beijing, and thanked China for its long-time help and support for Macedonia.

(Xinhua News Agency September 16, 2008)