On September 26, 2003, Vice Foreign Minister Liu Guchang met with Director General Abdullayev of the Second Department of Eastern Region of the Azerbaijan Foreign Ministry, who was in China to attend the consultations between the director generals of the two countries. Liu pointed out China-Azerbaijan relations had through the years maintained a sound and stable development momentum and bilateral exchanges and cooperation had witnessed constant expansion, adding China was very confident about the future development of China-Azerbaijan relations. Liu expressed thanks to the Azerbaijan side for its support to China on such questions as Taiwan, Tibet, human rights and Falungong. Abdullayev said the Azerbaijan side had made its China policy one of the priorities in its foreign policy. Noting that bilateral relations built on the basis of international law had progressed smoothly, Abdullayev voiced the hope that bilateral cooperation in economy and trade would continue to be intensified.