Azerbaijan President Geidar Aliyev met with the visiting delegation of the Communist Party of China (CPC) led by a senior Chinese official on Friday at his presidential office.

During their talks, Liu Yunshan, head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, said China and Azerbaijan have witnessed strengthened political trust, expanding trade and economic cooperation, and more frequent cultural exchanges.

China and Azerbaijan have adopted an identical stand on many international affairs and maintained a sound momentum of bilateral relations, he added.

Aliyev praised the remarkable achievements made by China in its reform and open-up. He also spoke highly of the sound development of the bilateral relations, hoping the two countries will further develop their cooperation in political affairs, economy and culture.

Azerbaijan will as always support China's stand on Taiwan and Tibet issues, the president said.

On the same day, Liu also met with leaders of the New Azerbaijan Party and they exchanged views on strengthening cooperation between the two parties and promoting bilateral relations.

(Xinhua News Agency October 9, 2004)