Wednesday in Beijing, visiting Macedonian President Branko
Crvenkovski celebrated Macedonia's ties with China, saying his
country would stick to the one-China policy.
"Our relationship with China tops Macedonia's foreign policies,"
Crvenkovski said when he met with Chinese President Hu Jintao at the Great Hall of the People.
He promised that Macedonia would "unswervingly" adhere to the
one-China policy and support China's efforts for peaceful
reunification.
Echoing Crvenkovski's view on bilateral relations, Hu said China
always regarded Macedonia as a "good friend" in the west Balkan
region and is willing to expand political mutual trust, boost
economic and trade cooperation, and strengthen bilateral exchange
and cooperation in the humanitarian fields such as culture,
education, technology, and sports.
The two heads of state also signed a joint statement after the
talks, in which the two sides vowed to further strengthen and
deepen China-Macedonia mutually beneficial cooperation in all areas
and on international and regional issues of mutual interest.
The two sides highly evaluated the impressive progress made in
bilateral relations since normalization, and emphasized that the
China-Macedonia traditional friendship is a shared wealth of the
two peoples and a solid foundation for further growth of bilateral
ties, the statement said.
The two sides also expressed their willingness to further
strengthen and enrich dialogues at all levels, stressing that
business cooperation is the priority area of bilateral relations
and would render energetic support to increasing contact and
expanding cooperation between their companies on the basis of
principles of equality, mutual benefit, and win-win results, and
create conditions to facilitate bilateral trade and investment.
On the Taiwan issue, Macedonia reaffirmed its commitment to the
one-China policy, acknowledging that there is only one China in the
world, and the government of the People's Republic of China is the
sole legal government representing the whole of China, and that
Taiwan is an inalienable part of China.
"The Macedonian side stated once again that it will not
establish official ties of any form or conduct official exchanges
with Taiwan, and that it opposes Taiwan's accession to any
international organization whose membership requires statehood,
that it opposes separatist activities for the island's independence
in all its manifestations, including the referendum on joining UN
under the name of Taiwan, and that it respects and supports all
efforts made by China for national reunification," Macedonia said
in the statement.
China also voiced its respect for the independence, sovereignty,
and territorial integrity of Macedonia, and Macedonian people's
choice of the path of development in accordance with their national
reality.
"The Chinese side understands the strong desire of Macedonia for
its own constitutional name to be used within the UN system and
supports the positive efforts made by Macedonia in resolving the
issue" said China in the statement.
"The Chinese side admires Macedonia's achievements in
maintaining social stability, promoting economic growth, and
raising people's living standards," China said in the statement,
adding that the country respects and understands Macedonia's
efforts to become part of the Europe-Atlantic integration
process.
Crvenkovski arrived in China on Tuesday as Hu's guest. He will
also visit Shanghai and Guangzhou during his stay in China.
(Xinhua News Agency December 6, 2007)
