(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-12-05 09:23

TIRANA -- Macedonian President Branko Crvenkovski said Tuesday Macedonia attaches the highest priority to developing relations with China, hoping his coming visit to China will boost cooperation between the two countries.

"There are great potentials in promoting cooperation between our two countries," Crvenkovski told Xinhua in a written reply before he embarked on a visit to China at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao.

He said his visit is of great significance to Macedonia, and it will serve as an additional political impetus to all institutions and companies in both countries to boost their efforts in developing their cooperation.

Crvenkovski highly valued the relations between Macedonia and China. He said the relationship between the two countries is at an "exceptionally high level", which is embodied in friendship and cooperation in all areas.

He pointed out Macedonia greatly appreciates China's consistent policy and continuous support to Macedonia since its independence from the former Yugoslavia in 1991, saying his country is sincere to make use of the huge potentials and achieve greater results in all areas of cooperation.

Crvenkovski stressed that Macedonia will "decisively and unswervingly" supports the one-China policy, and expressed his hope that China's peaceful reunification with its renegade province of Taiwan will be successfully realized.

Crvenkovski highly praised China's role at world stage. He said China is one of the key factors in international affairs and it is playing a crucial role in preserving peace and stability and solving global challenges the world is facing.

"With the increase of its economic power, China has gained more important influence in international affairs, and I am confident that China will continue to pursue its significant role in the interest of world peace," Crvenkovski said.

Crvenkovski is also expected to pay a visit to Shanghai and Guangzhou during his stay in China.