On August 28, local time, Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan met with Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and both sides held talks.

Tang said in recent years the two countries have kept closer political exchanges, conducted fruitful cooperation in economy, trade, culture, education and health, and shown mutual understanding and support in international affairs. Bilateral relations have had a sound momentum of all-round development. Tang expressed China's appreciation for the Macedonian new government's policy of making developing Sino-Macedonian ties its diplomatic priority. Tang hopes both sides will hold tightly to the main direction of the development between the two countries, make full use of the current favorable situation and push cooperation forward. He made a number of suggestions on how to boost bilateral ties. The first one, Tang said, is to further promote exchange between the countries' governments and parliaments, increase exchanges between various parties and people, enhance political trust, and consolidate the basis of friendship. The second one is to deepen trade and economic cooperation, excavate potential, broaden the fields and methods of cooperation, raise the standards of cooperation, and achieve mutual benefit and a win-win situation. The third one is to strengthen cooperation in culture, education, science, technology, radio and television and introduce incentives to the sustained development of bilateral ties.

For his part, Gruevski said the Macedonian government and people deem China a sincere friend and thank for China's support and assistance in various aspects. He said Macedonia attaches great importance to the development of Macedonian-Sino ties and agreed to the important suggestions Tang raised. The Macedonian side is ready to maintain high-level visits with China and strengthen cooperation in the areas of politics, economy, trade, education, culture, science and technology.

The prime minister reiterated that his government acknowledges there is but one China in the world, the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing China and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. The Macedonian government will steadfastly pursue the one-China policy, and object to secessionist activities aimed at "Taiwan independence" with determination.

Tang also exchanged opinions on the issue of Kosovo with Gruevski. It is no good to handle the issue of Kosovo with undue haste, even worse to set up a time limit and impose solutions on others, Tang said, adding that the settlement of the issue needs patience and wisdom. As member of the U.N. Security Council, China is willing to contribute constructive efforts to the settlement of the issue of Kosovo, Tang said.

Following the talks, the two also attended a ceremony to sign an agreement on Sino-Macedonian economic and technological cooperation, and took part in a press conference.

Tang arrived in Skopje on August 28, kicking off an official visit to Macedonia at the invitation of the Macedonian government after concluding his official visit to Serbia.