FM Spokesman on Normalization of Sino-Macedonian TiesThe normalization of Sino- Macedonian relations is a significant moment in the history of the China-Macedonia ties, said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue Monday.She said Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan and his Macedonian counterpart Ilinka Mitreva Monday signed a joint communique Monday, deciding to normalize Sino-Macedonian bilateral relations from June 18, 2001. She said China and Macedonia have enjoyed traditional friendship and cooperative relations. And bilateral ties had developed smoothly since the two countries forged diplomatic ties in 1993, she said. Undermined by the Taiwan authorities, Sino-Macedonian relations had undergone ups and downs since 1999, the spokeswoman said. The past two years has proved that the fundamental and long-term interests of the two peoples have thus been harmed. Both Chinese and Macedonian people have earnestly hoped that bilateral relations would be back to the normal track at an early date. The normalization will be a new starting point for the relations between the two nations, she said. Zhang said China believes that on the basis of the just-signed Joint Communique, bilateral friendly and cooperative ties will, in a swift way, be fully restored and promoted, and bilateral cooperation in international affairs be further strengthened. The normalization has once again demonstrated that China's sovereignty and territorial integrity is inalienable. The Chinese government's "one-China" principle has gained understanding and support from vast majorities of nations and the international community, she said. And any attempt and practice to split China will work to no avail, the spokeswoman said. |
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