Chinese President Hu Jintao said in Beijing Tuesday that China will work with Albania to continuously expand cooperation and promote bilateral relations under new circumstances to a new high on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence.

Hu made the remarks when meeting with visiting Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano who arrived in Beijing Monday for a seven-day official visit to China as guest of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.

Hu pointed to the deep traditional friendship between the two peoples and the important contributions made by Albania, as one of the earliest countries to recognize the People's Republic of China, to the restoration of China's legitimate seat in the United Nations.

He also mentioned the increasing bilateral exchanges at various levels and expanding cooperation in different fields, saying bilateral relations have had a new development period.

He said Sino-Albanian friendship is the common treasure of the two peoples and constitutes the firm foundation for the growth of bilateral ties.

The Chinese side respects Albanian people's choice for a development path and Albanian government's domestic and foreign policies worked out in line with its own conditions, noted Hu.

Nano, who is on his first visit to China as prime minister, said Albania and China have continuously strengthened mutual understanding and friendly cooperation with joint efforts from both sides.

The development of bilateral friendship and cooperation is not only conducive to the Albanian people, but also to safeguarding norms guiding international relations including mutual respect, equality and reciprocity, noted Nano.

He said the Albanian government will firmly pursue the one-China policy, support China's reunification, and expect further exchanges and cooperation with China in such fields as politics, economy, trade, culture and education.

(Xinhua News Agency September 15, 2004)