China, Macedonia pledge to further enhance ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping(R) meets with President of Macedonia Gjorge Ivanov in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 21, 2013. The Macedonian president is in China to attend the 14th Western China International Fair (WCIF), to be held in Chengdu of southwest China's Sichuan Province from Oct. 23 to 27. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

China and Macedonia on Monday pledged to further enhance their relations and substantial cooperation in all areas.

The pledge came out of a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and President of Macedonia Gjorge Ivanov, who is in China to attend the 14th Western China International Fair (WCIF).

Xi spoke highly of the "ever maturing" relationship between the two countries since their establishment of ties 20 years ago. He said China and Macedonia witnessed frequent high-level exchanges, consolidating political mutual trust, and reciprocal cooperation in all areas.

Xi said China and Macedonia support each other to follow the path of development based on their own national situation, which is also an important principle for the two sides to strengthen exchanges and cooperation.

China will work with Macedonia to implement their infrastructure construction projects, make the agricultural cooperation a new growth point for bilateral cooperation, and expand cooperation in areas including education, culture, arts and traditional Chinese medicine, so as to push forward the accelerated development of China-Macedonia relations, Xi said.

He noted China attached high importance to the China-Europe relations, as well as the status of Central and Eastern European countries in Europe's development. China will make full use of its cooperation with Central and Eastern European countries as a platform to give full play to the complementary advantages to so as to make the cooperation more fruitful, the president added.

Ivanov said the Macedonian people cherish friendly sentiment toward the Chinese people. The two countries shared smooth cooperation in such areas as politics, economy, culture and regional and international affairs.

He said the Macedonian side thanks China for its support and assistance, and will take the advantage of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of Macedonia-China diplomatic relations to enhance high-level exchanges and people-to-people communication, further strengthen bilateral cooperation and their cooperation under the framework of China-Europe and China-Central and Eastern Europe.

Ivanov said Macedonia welcomes more Chinese investment and will provide good environment in this regard. Macedonia will also make active efforts to promote the Europe-China relations and the relations between Central and Eastern Europe and China.

The 14th WCIF will be held in Chengdu of southwest China's Sichuan Province form Oct. 23 to 27.