Vice Premier Huang Ju met with Azerbaijani foreign minister Elmar Mammedyarov in Beijing Friday.

Huang said China and Azerbaijan enjoy long-term friendship, and their relationship has developed smoothly since the two countries forged diplomatic ties more than a decade ago.

The political trust and economic cooperation between the two countries have been promoted, and cultural and educational exchanges have expanded, he said.

Huang spoke highly of Azerbaijan's stand to adhere to the one-China policy, and thanked Azerbaijan for its firm support to China on international affairs and other major issues.

Mammedyarov said Azerbaijan and China have maintained mutual understanding and trust in the political field and witnessed growing economic cooperation while keeping cooperation in the international arena.

Azerbaijan would like to upgrade the relationship with China to a new height, he said.

(Xinhua News Agency February 5, 2005)